News

Upstacker chasing Hawkesbury Guineas win

4th May 2012

Racing And Sports - Wednesday, 2 May 2012

Twelve months after giving trainer Joan Pracey one of the biggest thrills of her career, Upstacker will head to Hawkesbury on Saturday in an attempt to trump it.

The gelding (pictured as yearling) claimed the two-year-old Inglis Race Series Bonus race at Hawkesbury's stand-alone Saturday meeting last year, a special victory for his locally-based trainer.

He returns this weekend to contest the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) on the corresponding program.

The three-year-old faces a tough field headed by Landing who is prepared by trainer-of-the-moment Gai Waterhouse and Pracey is under no illusions about his task.

"He is probably a bit out of his depth with the horses in the Guineas," Pracey said.

"But he needs to compete at this level to progress to the Scone Guineas on the 19th (of May).

"I'd like to see him run in the first four. If he can get within a couple of lengths of a horse like Landing, who is very good, then I'll be happy."

A field of 11 was accepted for the Guineas including the Peter Snowden-trained pair of Pied A Terre and Free Wheeling along with Uate who is also entered for the Gold Coast on Saturday.

Upstacker will tackle the Hawkesbury Guineas third-up and his only two wins have come at his third start from a spell.

He was twelfth first-up in the Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) won by Hallowell Belle and eighth to Pampelonne in the Gosford Guineas (1200m) on a slow track.

Pracey said he had excuses in both.

"His first run he got into a bit of trouble and was galloped on," Pracey said.

"At Gosford I was a bit disappointed until I watched the replay. He was on the worst part of the track and hanging out but he pulled up fine."

Jeff Penza has the mount and will also partner Pracey's other runner, Call Me Snow, in the two-year-old race which Upstacker won last year.

Like Upstacker, Call Me Snow is by Strategic but the youngster has a more difficult temperament than her stablemate.

"We've had a few problems with her barrier manners which is why she hasn't had a run yet," Pracey said.

"She's had a couple of jump outs and a trial and she's got ability but she probably needs the race experience."

The Hawkesbury Guineas is one of three Listed races on Saturday's eight-event card along with the Rowley Mile (1600m) and Darley Crown (1300m).

The Gai Waterhouse-trained pair of Fast Clip and Western Symbol head the Mile field while Snowden will have up to four runners in the Crown - Parables, Screen, Mascareri and Forfeiture.