Sebonack produced a sparkling win on debut in the Chairman’s Stakes which has set a “good benchmark” for Team Hawkes in their Blue Diamond ambitions.
Sebonack triumphs in the Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
Whatever Blue Diamond prospects Team Hawkes sends out next would be worth watching closely as “benchmark” debutant Sebonack banked a soft win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield.
The Capitalist colt, who sealed a running treble for tearaway Melbourne jockey’s premiership leader Jye McNeil, surged by easing favourite Renosu at the 200m to put a margin on the field.
Here’s a smart one.
Sebonack is a stylish winner of the Chairman’s Stakes on debut. pic.twitter.com/9yatSkdrR8— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) February 5, 2022
Despite an eye-catching win and pre-race parade, co-trainer Wayne Hawkes tempered expectations.
“He was a good benchmark for us,” Hawkes said.
“It was good to get that one out the road, now I know where the rest of them sit.
“He was a good level to see where some of our others are, because we have a few lined up for the next couple of weeks, I’m happy.”
Peter Moody-trained Nanagui finished strongly for second, while Kiko, an expensive daughter of Capitalist, secured a valuable black-type placing.
But Sebonack was a cut above, despite a slower than expected getaway from the barriers.
Jye McNeil cruises to victory aboard Sebonack. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
“You never quite know when they’re at home and come to race day … I was impressed with the way he paraded and how he looked today, he got the job done,” Hawkes said.
“Every week there’s a good horse going to come out and win a good two-year-old race, next week we got the Blue Diamond Prelude so we’ll be talking up something else next week.”
McNeil was equally impressed with the “explosive” performance.
“That was pretty straightforward,” McNeil said.
“He’s a big strong horse and we used that to our advantage right on the point of the turn.
“Save him to get that clear run in and after that I took a few strides to keep him balanced and was hopeful that he’d let down well and he put them away nicely.
“He was fantastic the way he let down and he feels like a class horse so he’ll keep progressing.”
The Chairman’s Stakes has produced three Blue Diamonds winners, including Extreme Choice (2016) most recently.
CAULFIELD WRAP
ONE EL OF A RETURN
Australian Oaks-bound filly EL PATRONESS finished third – beaten a neck – but so easily could have flipped the script on MINOUCHE and THRONTARI. A rider decision at the top of the straight – electing to save ground down the inside instead of looping the compact field – made a big difference at the finish.
No such issues for Minouche, who held out Throntari in a tight finish without going around a filly. Champion jockey Craig Williams, who replaced Damien Oliver (unavailable) on the Godolphin filly, executed his riding instructions perfectly, dictating a slowly-run race from the front.
Williams got the call up from trainer James Cummings on Saturday after Oliver’s withdrawal. Oliver spent a night in hospital following a barrier incident at Warrnambool on Thursday. The Hall of Fame jockey, cleared of any neck injuries, decided to sit out the weekend to recuperate.
WINNER WORTH FOLLOWING
WORTHILY gave favourite backers a fright, sustaining a strong gallop in a line of four at Caulfield, to prevail in a blanket finish.
Jockey Jye McNeil’s efforts, working overtime to get the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained import into clear air, balanced up and going straight, paid off on the post – where it mattered most.
“Jye said it was better than it looked,“ Eustace said.
“He said it travelled really strong and that was nice to see. We think he has got a nice rating and with cut in the ground and a bit further as well, he should be able to go through his grades.”
Expect to see more of Worthily, especially in races 2000m and beyond at Flemington.
Worthily finishes strongly to win the Robert Hunter Handicap. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
FAMILY MATTERS
Blaike McDougall will be in the good books at home after guiding $41 outsider TAKISSACOD to victory for trainer and mother-in-law Donna Scott. McDougall is married to Scott‘s daughter, Danielle.
“The son-in-law, I’d get in trouble if I didn’t put him on when I come down here but he rides super and I have no qualms putting him on,“ Scott said.
“What a super effort by this mare … her rating is up in the 85s so there’s no races for her at home (Albury).“ McDougall was thrilled to get a result for the family.
“I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed riding winners for the family, since they’ve been my family,“ he said.
“Donna puts in a lot of hard work behind the scenes. She’s a very hands-on trainer and never gets the rewards she reaps … a Saturday winner, the family would be pretty chuffed by that.”
Consistent mare Under My Spell flew home for second ahead of MEGAMEA.
VIVA LA VITO
A smart ride by apprentice Josh Richards sealed a hat-trick for NICOLINI VITO.
Given an economical run, ridden with cover behind the speed, the four-year-old gelding went past favourite SAVANNAH CLOUD at the 200m.
Jye McNeil, hunting a possible sixth winner on the day, loomed ominously on pick-up ride THREEANDFOURPENCE, an $18 outsider, but could not bridge the gap to Nicolini Vito. Richards is the fourth Victorian-based jockey to ride 30 city winners.
Originally published as Chairman’s Stakes: Sebonack sets Blue Diamond standard for Hawkes stable
Keyword: Chairman’s Stakes: Sebonack sets Blue Diamond standard for Hawkes stable