A runaway win by new stable acquisition Hawkshot in the Group 2 $200,000 Hyland Race Colours Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today will see the Lindsay Park trained three year old line up in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.

Hawkshot, above, scores a runaway win in the 2019 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Hawkshot, above, scores a runaway win in the 2019 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Winning jockey Mark Zahra kept his association with the former Darren Weir trained gelding who produced a stunning all the way win against a good crop of promising three year olds.

Zahra took Hawkshot ($6.50) straight to the front and after setting the pace, careered away in the straight to record a three and three quarter lengths over Dealmaker ($6.50) with Ringerdingding a further lengths away in third spot.

The $3.20 favourite Social Spin was given a nice run by Ben Melham before finishing in fifth position.

Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes said that Hawkshot arrived at their stables from Darren Weir in great shape and he will now push on towards the Group 1 $1m Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 2.

“Mark (Zahra) knew the horse very well and let him roll to the front, he dictated and kicked away on the corner and could not have been more impressive,” Ben Hayes said.

“He has only been in our yard since Monday and was very well presented. He came to us looking a million dollars.”

“It looks like he is a good Guineas now.”

Hawkshot’s Australian Guineas price has nosedived from $41 to be a $9 chance for the Group 1 for the three year old olds.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.