Real Surreal Back In Work Ahead Of Autumn Campaign

Real Surreal has not been seen at the races since her victory in the 2013 Magic Millions Classic (1200m), but is edging closer to a return to racing after entering work last week.

Real Surreal could make her first public appearance since winning the Magic Millions Classic in a barrier trial in Sydney at the end of January.

Real Surreal could make her first public appearance since winning the Magic Millions Classic in a barrier trial in Sydney at the end of January. Photo by: Steve Hart

Real Surreal was transferred from the stable of Kelso Wood to that of Team Hawkes in September last year and missed the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival due to some minor tendon problems.

Michael Hawkes told Sky Racing HQ that Real Surreal had reentered work in Sydney last week and was working towards the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, where she could contest races like the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on March 8 and the Group 3 PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday April 12.

“She is back in the stable now in Sydney,” Hawkes said.

“She looks magnificent and we will head towards the autumn with her.

“Maybe the Princess Series or something like that, but she will probably step-up in a trial in the next three or four weeks.

“There is no rush for her and we are just sort of building her up and getting her there.”

Real Surreal started her racing career with a narrow victory in the Broncos Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on November 24 in 2012 before finishing third in the Sky Racing IPhone App Handicap (1100m) at Doomben on December 22.

The Real Saga filly stamped herself as a leading contender for the Magic Millions Classic with a dominant victory in the Sirromet Love Sparkling Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on January 5 and came from towards the tail of the field to record a narrow win from Sweet Idea and Missy Longstocking in the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast on January 12.

Hawkes said that Real Surreal has exhibited a great deal of talent in her four race starts and he clearly has an extremely high opinion of the classy three-year-old.

“She is just a quality filly,” Hawkes said.

“She has only had the four starts but what she has done in those four starts is outstanding.

“She is definitely a cracking filly and I would love to owe her.”

Team Hawkes has the opportunity to record their maiden victory in the Magic Millions Classic when the well-backed Invisible contests the $2 million event at the Gold Coast on Saturday.

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.