Team Hawkes is yet to commit to giving the impeccably-bred Shadowofexcellence his chance in the Group Two $200,000 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
A three-quarter brother to three-time Melbourne Cup winner and Cox Plate heroine Makybe Diva, the Redoute’s Choice colt is also engaged in the Benchmark 75 Hcp (1900m) at Canterbury on Friday night.
“He’s still in Sydney and we haven’t made a decision yet,” Flemington-based co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said.
“That’s not to say he won’t come.”
Shadowofexcellence broke through for his first win at his fifth start with an effortless Newcastle 1850m maiden victory on March 5, scoring by 3-1/4 lengths.
Raced by Patinack Farm Racing Syndicate, managed by Nathan Tinkler, and Makybe Racing and Breeding Syndicate, managed by Tony Santic, Shadowofexcellence was being prepared for the Victoria Derby (2500m) in the spring but failed to gain a start as an emergency.
Shadowofexcellence has already shown ability in stakes class with a third to Eclair Surprise and Almindoro in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 3.
At his next appearance in the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) he missed the start hopelessly when he reared just as the start was effected and was tailed off early before finishing ninth to Retrieve on a heavy track on Caulfield Cup day.
John Hawkes, who now trains with his sons Wayne and Sydney-based Michael, won the Alister Clark with Spinney in 2006, Lieutenant in 2005 and Toltrice in 1974.
Meanwhile, Wayne Hawkes said stablemate Moshe will run in the Super Vobis Three-Years-Old 0-72 Hcp (1000m).
The brother to superstar sprinter Black Caviar won his first two starts at Bendigo and Moonee Valley before finishing fourth as odds-on favourite to Decision Time in a field of six in the Listed Fireball Quality (1100m) at Rosehill last month.
Heading the Alister Clark entries is the Lee and Shannon Hope-trained Folding Gear, last-start winner of the Group Two Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield on February 26.
That race is likely to prove the definitive form reference for the Alister Clark with the top six from it all entered – Elusive King (second), Almindoro (third), Domesky (fourth), Meaisin (fifth) and Kim Divine (sixth).
AAP TURF
