Bandersnatch who joined the Hawkes yard at the start of his current campaign proved too good in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick.
Bandersnatch who was previously trained by Gerald Ryan kicked off his campaign with a Moonee Valley win, he then followed that up with two minor placings.
Hawkes said the four-year-old’s record for them should read even better.
“He’s done a fantastic job. He’s had four runs and to be truthful, they probably should have been four wins,” Hawkes said.
“It (Carrington) wasn’t the strongest stakes race of all time but it’s here and it’s about putting horses in races where they’re suited.
“It was a perfect race for this horse with no weight.”
Berry put Bandersnatch ($2.50 fav) in a trailing position and once he levelled up with Quackerjack ($19), who had raced to the front, the gelding put paid to his rival to score by three-quarters of a length.
Thy Kingdom Come ($17) did his best work late another half-length away.
Hawkes was unsure of immediate plans for Bandersnatch but said they might try to find another similar race for him while he was fit and in form.
However, he believes the horse’s best is still ahead.
“Even next prep, now that we’ve had a prep with him, you will see a better horse again,” Hawkes said.
“He’s a happy horse. He is a lovely horse to have around the stable, he is quiet, he’s good and he’s only getting better.
“We might just try to find another race while he’s fit.”
