The illustrious combination of trainers Team Hawkes and jockey Tommy Berry will combine with the much anticipated debut of the highly touted two-year-old colt Remarque at Rosehill.
Remarque, a full-brother to Golden Slipper winner Estijaab, has put the writing on the wall with two impressive trials at Rosehill and punters are predicting a winning debut in the 1100 metres opening race as he is $1.65 with TAB fixed odds.
He has also been backed from $26 to $15 to win the Golden Slipper and is the shortest price of any unraced horse in the market with TAB fixed odds with only the winners Enthaar, Acrobat and Profiteer above him in the betting.
Berry is aware of the hype and has had the benefit of sitting on him for both trials.
“He’s obviously got the breeding on his side and his two trials speak for themselves,” Berry said.
“The Hawkes and I have had a good association for many years now, especially with the young horses, and I’ve had the pleasure of riding this bloke in both of his trials and he’s really impressed me.”
The Snitzel colt has drawn awkwardly in gate 11 and Berry knows better than to predict the racing pattern in these two-year-old events.
“Two-year-old races are very hard to make plans in especially when there’s a lot of first starters,” Berry said.
“You’ve got to come out with an open mind, if he doesn’t step away and comes out a bit slow then we’ll obviously ride him quiet.
“If he jumps out quick then you just have to hope for a bit of luck in those early stages.”
Berry and Hawkes team up again later in the card when three-year-old Shaik contests the Benchmark 72 Handicap over 1300m.
The Snitzel filly was an impressive winner at Warwick Farm last time out, producing a withering burst from near last on the turn.
“She’s a lovely filly, she performed really well in some good company last preparation obviously being placed behind North Pacific,” Berry said.
“She’s come into the Hawkes stable from Brad Widdup’s in very good order and she was a really good winner at her first run for the Hawkes’.
“She’s definitely improved since the last run so it’s the obvious step for her to go back up to Saturday grade and this looks a nice race for her.”
