Hawaii Five Oh was one of the surprise packets of the late Sydney Autumn and Brisbane Winter and looks to have come back just as well, leading all the way in Tuesday’s first trial at Rosehill to defeat a star-studded field.
Jumping well from an outside gate under Adam Hyeronimous, Hawaii Five Oh was given a good hit out in the straight to maintain a length advantage over Group One winners Ruthless Dame and Mazu.
Always showing talent, Hawaii Five Oh was beaten at his first two runs last campaign before exploding to win the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m). He went on to win the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) and run third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) to Think About It.
This was Hawaii Five Oh’s second trial having finished fifth in his 807m hit out on August 18 and co-trainer Adrian Bott believes the I Am Invincible entire is ready to go to the races.
“First time out he was given a relatively quiet trial at Warwick Farm but today there was a bit more intent, a bit more purpose,” Bott told Sky Racing.
“Good to see the horse putting himself there and actually wanting to do that and take it up, showing some good speed… he’s open to some good improvement off the back of that this morning so he’ll look to head towards The Shorts now,” Bott said.
Saturday week’s Group 2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick has often been used as a key lead up for The Everest but is unlikely to feature top sprinters Giga Kick or I Wish I Win.
Also in Tuesday’s trial for Waterhouse & Bott were Kibou and Converge, the former finishing sixth, beaten three lengths and the latter settling back in a strung out field, finishing seventh and beaten just over eight lengths.
Kibou only had one run in a Winter campaign, finishing second to Iowna Merc in a 1200m benchmark 78 and Bott suggested a similar race is on the agenda next Saturday.
“I feel he’s right on track, he’s going to resume Saturday week as well in a 1200 benchmark. I feel he’s back in really good shape and going well,” Bott said.
