Race Result:

1st: Zeyrek (M, W & J Hawkes/T Clark) - $3.60F
2nd: Sunshine Rising (M Newnham/N Rawiller) - $4.60
3rd: Gear Up (A Neasham/T Marquand) - $7.50

Winning Time: 2:04.15 Last 600m: 34.54

Margins: 1L x 1½L

 

Zeyrek was in the zone!

That's back-to-back Group 3 Neville Selwood's for @HawkesRacing and the Rupert Legh colours. pic.twitter.com/Iu0SePGKYx

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 25, 2023

Winning Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes (Michael Hawkes representing)

On handling wide draws: "Last start he actually really put the writing on the wall, he just drew a bad gate that day. Unfortunately today he had to go back, probably the best part about it he's got a really good turn of foot. I'd just love to see him draw a barrier because I think if he can possie up midfield or even better you'll see a different horse."

On the improvement he's shown this prep: "Last prep never went right for us, everything went wrong. This prep everything has gone so right, he's just put everything up in lights. The horse, he's definitely going somewhere, he's a really nice horse in the making."

On what's next: "Who knows? He might run in the QE (Queen Elizabeth), it's a race we've always had thoughts of. We tried to stretch him out over a bit of ground but he's just got such a good turn of foot, he's very explosive. Especially over 2000m at Randwick I think he's going to be something special. I know it's going to be a tough race, but it's there we'll just decide as we get closer. It's pretty exciting to have a horse of this quality."

"You've got to be in it to win it, but we're just happy he won today and he's really turned the corner this bloke. He's got a lot in store for him, put it that way."

Winning Jockey: Tim Clark

On having to go back from the wide draw: "If he had drawn low he would've been able to take up a position easily. But he's probably not the sort of horse you can give a message to and then he won't come back for you. I just had to trust how well the horse is going, ride him to his pattern, and have faith that he had a enough turn of foot to pick them up, which he did."

On the run: "Obviously, probably my main danger had the ascendency on him early by being able to use tactical speed, Sunshine Rising, and put himself into the race. So I was spotting him a fair start but he picked them up pretty easily really. Just as I come out to get going the inside come out and forced me a bit wider, so a really strong win. Obviously returned a really good horse this time in, he's been very consistent and racing really well."

"I think that by riding him that quiet early he'll show you that turn of foot. You use him up he probably races a bit keen and takes his finish away. Take our medicine (from the wide draw) but it all worked out really well. He tracked into the race beautifully, although Sunshine Rising had a nice run I was on him pretty quick and had him beat pretty easily."

On the middle of the track being a fast lane:" It is, but I think the inside will be alright later in the day. I think it's pretty fair at the moment, he probably just had a bit of class on them."

Beaten Jockeys:

Mark Zahra (Huetor): "Every chance. Ran OK."

Regan Bayliss (Magical Lagoon): "Great run. Look for her next start."

Tom Marquand (Gear Up): "Ran super. Just wants a bit more cut in the ground and down here he's going to get a bit further."

Nash Rawiller (Sunshine Rising): "We took up a beautiful spot today which was a little bit different to normal. Just found the winner too good on the day."

Chad Schofield (Fancy Man): "Good run. We were caught wide early so I had to come back. Got a bit outsprinted top of the straight but he really revved up nicely. Very good through the line."

Brenton Avdulla (Third Realm): "On face value a little bit disappointing. Just might want the shades back off, up in trip and a track with a bit of cut out."

Brett Prebble (Benaud): "Much better today. A little bit of moisture in the track he really appreciates that."

Zac Lloyd (Cadre Du Noir): "Horse is going really really well."

Kerrin McEvoy (Athabascan): "He's run nicely. He's going to go out in trip and maybe back up in the Chairmans."