2013 Magic Millions Classic winner Real Surreal made her first public appearance for the Hawkes stable with an impressive victory in a barrier trial over 900 metres at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Real Surreal has not been seen at the races since her narrow win in the 2013 Magic Millions Classic, but edged closer to a return with a strong barrier trial victory this morning. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Real Surreal was settled in the middle of the seven horse field by jockey James McDonald and she worked home strongly in the final stages of the trial to record a narrow win from Devil Miss and Command More.
Co-trained Michael Hawkes, whose stable acquired Real Surreal from that of Kelso Wood in August last year, told TVN this morning that he was delighted with the barrier trial performance, but said that there were still no firm plans in place for the classy filly during the 2014 Autumn Racing Carnival.
“She came in to the stable at an awkward time and we didn’t want to rush her to get her ready for the Magic Millions three-year-old,” Hawkes said.
“She had already won the big two-year-old race so the campaign is about getting black type and hopefully a Group 1 win next to her name.
“She is a class filly, she has a lot of ability, we are still learning about her but she is doing everything right at this stage.
“We want to see how she comes through the trial and then we will make our mind up as to when she will go to the races.”
Real Surreal made her racing debut in the Broncos Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on November 24 2012 and recorded a narrow win over Choisenegger and Craiglea Cruz before finishing third behind Mishani Gladiator and Greytfilly in the Sky Racing IPhone App Handicap (1110m) at Doomben on December 22.
The Real Saga filly returned to the winners stall with a dominant victory over Dalton and She’s A Danica in the Sirromet Love Sparkling Handicap (1000m) at Eagle Farm on January 5 and went on to record a narrow win over Sweet Idea and Missy Longstocking in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 12.
The Hawkes stable also won an open trial over 900 metres with former Rockhampton-based gelding Idance at Rosehill Gardens this morning and unraced two-year-olds Rajamani and Hostwin Pegasus both finished third in their respective barrier trials.
