A chance to test the big-race credentials of two Hawkes Racing juveniles has enticed Dwayne Dunn to Sydney on Saturday.
The Melbourne-based jockey, who rides extensively for the Hawkes stable, will make the trip interstate to partner first starters Mawahibb in the Canonbury Stakes and Lake Geneva in the Widden Stakes.
Both youngsters remain in contention for the Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper pending their performances at Rosehill.
“It’s a bit two-edged whether they stay up in Sydney or they bring them down for the Diamond,” Dunn said.
“That’s why John (Hawkes) wanted me to get a feel of them, for the Diamond and the Slipper.”
The Hawkes team has called on Dunn to ride in Sydney a handful of times, often to test their best young horses.
Dunn twice made the trip north to partner boom sprinter Deep Field at his first two starts last winter.
The well-bred Lake Geneva is by Fastnet Rock out of former precocious two-year-old Hips Don’t Lie while Mawahibb is a half brother to last year’s Golden Slipper winner Mossfun.
The colt appears to have inherited the family ability, impressing Dunn in a jump out in Melbourne and trialling well in Sydney.
“The colt has been down here (in Melbourne) through the system,” Dunn said.
“He’s shown us he is a top quality galloper and I’m expecting him to run really well.”
Mawahibb is a $3.50 chance for the Group Three Canonbury in a congested market which has five of the six runners rated $7 and under.
Lake Geneva is on the the third line of betting for the Group Three Widden at $7.
