Team Hawkes and Zac Lloyd have combined to claim the Group 2 Golden Pendant (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday afternoon, with Makarena ($4.60) holding off the fast-finishing Amelia’s Jewel ($2.70) to score an impressive second-up victory.
The daughter of Snitzel put the writing on the wall first-up in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) on September 14, being forced to cart up a talented list of fillies and mares before fading to finish 2.4 lengths away.
Lloyd was happy to adopt similar tactics, this time electing to sit outside the leader as Makarena and Tropical Quall ($10.00) pressed forward to go along at a steady tempo throughout the 1400m journey.
Amelia’s Jewel had no excuses lobbing into the one-one, while Semana ($3.00) shocked most punters by being dragged back towards the rear of the field under Dylan Gibbons.
The race turned into a sit-and-sprint as Makarena made the first move turning for home, kicking off the bend to maintain an unassailable margin as only Amelia’s Jewel and Arctic Glamour ($9.50) made any significant inroads in the concluding stages.
2024 Group 2 Golden Pendant Replay – Makarena
It was well-deserved win for the consistent four-year-old as Michael Hawkes spoke post-race about the victory and the possibilities throughout the campaign.
“She showed her true colours today,” said Hawkes.
“It was all about really just trying to get her in a rhythm. Last start, nothing really went right for her, she just wanted to chase, the horse went off out in front and nothing went to plan.
“But today was a different race, 1400m, Zac (Lloyd) got her into a beautiful rhythm and she travelled well.
“She’s still learning. She got to the front and had a bit of a look around but when it counted, Zac just gave her a little nudge and away she went.
“She is only second-up today so she is in for a really nice prep. She has got that Group win under her belt that we wanted and we’ve always had a really high opinion of her.
“The Invitation is there, Golden Eagle. It’s all there. There’s no rush.”
Zac Lloyd spoke post-race and was delighted with the performance as well.
“Really good,” said Lloyd.
“It’s just good to have her back.
“It’s been Michael and Clare’s birthday this week, so extra special win for them. They’ve always been great supporters of mine since I moved to Sydney and to repay them with wins like this is very fitting.
“I was very happy with the way she was parading. Last prep she was a bit hot, a bit fizzy, and that showed in her races. She used to over-race a bit whereas today she was very tractable.
“I was able to get a slipstream off Tropical Squall for a bit and then at the 600m I popped out. And I felt like the winner the whole way. She really handled that race well and dictated it.”
Makarena is now a $21 chance with horse racing bookmakers for the Golden Eagle (1500m) on November 2.
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