News

World awaits Black Caviar's return as Team Hawkes maps program for her kid brother

20th Jan 2012

Sydney Morning Herald - John Holloway - Friday, 20 January 2012

While the racing world is counting down the days for the return of Australia's wonder mare Black Caviar next week, Team Hawkes at Rosehill Gardens are almost as anxious as they eagerly await the weeks for her kid brother to come out of cotton wool and begin a program that will hopefully lead into the $3.5 million Golden Slipper Stakes in April.

Nathan Tinkler paid $1.05 million at last year's Inglis Easter sales for the mare's half-brother by Casino Prince after John Hawkes bid on the billionaire's behalf in an epic duel with Peter Moody.

Moody has selected the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on January 27 for Black Caviar's attempt to win her 17th race from as many starts. Officially rated as the world's best sprinter, Black Caviar's return will be front-page news as she attempts to continue her winning sequence.

The five-year-old showed she was ready at Caulfield last Tuesday with a jump-out success by six lengths where the mare ran almost three seconds faster than any other trial winner, but don't expect the same speed from the mare's younger relation as Hawkes is renowned for giving his two-year-olds easy trials early in their preparation.

The kid brother hasn't been named yet, but Hawkes told Bloodlines this week that the colt is just a month away from contesting a barrier trial as a lead-in to the Golden Slipper qualifying races. ''I couldn't be happier with the colt, but we all know anything can happen to a young horse, with shin soreness and so many other problems they can experience. At this stage, however, he is doing everything right and he certainly is a terrific addition to my stable at Rosehill,'' he said.