The David Vandyke trained stayer Sir John Hawkwood has drawn the inside barrier for the Group 3 $125,000 JRA Cup (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Sir John Hawkwood, above, has drawn barrier one in the JRA Cup at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.
Blake Spriggs is set to continue his association with Sir John Hawkwood after having been aboard the seven year old for his last six starts.
The pair have recorded two wins together in the Listed $100,000 Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick on December 12 and two starts back won the Group 3 $350,000 Sky High Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 12.
At his latest effort Sir John Hawkwood ran an honest race when third to It’s Somewhat in the Group 3 $150,000 The Daily Telegraph Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 26.
Vandyke will also saddle up Astronomos who has drawn the outside gate in the ten horse JRA Cup field with Sam Clipperton to ride.
Astronomos will strip fitter for one run back from a spell when second to Brettan in a 1630m BenchMark 85 Handicap at Doomben on April 30.
Sydney’s premiership trainer Chris Waller will saddle up the two at the top of the weights in Junoob and Opinion.
Junoob has been allocated 60kg and has drawn nicely at barrier two with Blake Shinn to ride while Opinion with 59.5kg will jump from gate five with Glyn Schofield in the saddle.
Both stayers are still short of their best distance and are coming off runs in the Group 3 $200,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury April 30 with Opinion finishing eighth and Junoob thirteenth.
The Darren Weir trained Real Love has been racing consistently over the Autumn and after winning three starts back in the Listed $120,000 3AW Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 5, finished third to Purple Smile in the Group 2 $400,000 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 14 and then second in a 2000m Caulfield Open Handicap on April 23.
Real Love has drawn barrier six in the JRA Cup with Brad Rawiller back in the saddle.
The Joe Pride trained Destiny’s Kiss has drawn barrier seven while local hope Volkhere will jump from gate three.
