Capecover NZ - Sand Hawk NZ

Blodstock.com.au
25/9/09


New Zealanders Capecover and Sand Hawk continue their preparations aimed at the $5.5 million Melbourne Cup in the Ansett Classic.

Capecover, prepared by Alexander Fieldes, is well known in Australia having won last year's Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) at Flemington after being balloted out of the Melbourne Cup.

The Cape Cross gelding would have gained a berth in the 2008 Cup had he won the Saab Quality (2500m) at Flemington, a race in which he didn't have a lot of luck before finishing third to Moatize, beaten just over a length.

Fieldes, a meat inspector who took two months off to prepare Capecover on Paddy Payne's property near Ballarat, has done the same again this spring with the Melbourne Cup his major focus.

The seven-year-old, weighted to carry 51.5kg in the Cup which is 8kg below weight-for-age, is qualified and currently 36th in the elimination order.

Capecover began his campaign with unplaced runs over 1400m and 1600m in New Zealand before running eighth to Red Lord in the Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 19.

Craig Williams, who has ridden Capecover five times, again takes the mount on Saturday.

The Jenny Vance-trained Sand Hawk has yet to pass the first ballot clause for the Cup and is currently 97th in the elimination order but the first prize of $61,000 in the Ansett Classic would qualify the six-year-old.

But the Sandtrap gelding, with 50kg in the Cup which is 9.5kg below weight-for-age, would need to incur a penalty to improve his chances of gaining a start in the 24-horse field.

Damien Oliver has been engaged to ride Sand Hawk who last start made it seven wins from 37 starts when he scored over 2100m on a slow track at Ellerslie.