Hawkesbury Gold Cup – 2022

Track: Soft   Weather: Possible showers

Following the early scratchings of Aramayo and Our Intrigue, 17 runners remain for the $200,000 Hawkesbury Cup, and seven of them had their last start in the Randwick 100 Handicap over 1400m on 16 April. Although both of the early scratching were from the Chris Waller stable he still has five runners, while Annabel Neasham has three and John O’Shea has two. There are 14 geldings, two mares and a stallion. Four are four-year-olds, eight are five-year-olds, three are seven-year-olds and two are eight-year-olds.

The early favourite is five-year-old  Art Cadeau who has placed in both starts this campaign and was 2nd in the Randwick 100 at his latest outing. Second favourite is Kirwan’s Lane who finished last campaign with two wins and resumed for 5th in the Randwick 100. Third favourite is Brutality who has excellent form on softer tracks.

Imaging finished 10th last start at Newcastle on a soft track when fresh but goes well second-up.  Archedemus has got off to a poor start this campaign but has two wins and a place from three starts at Hawkesbury and those two wins were this race last year and in 2019. Criaderas goes well on soft going. The Frontman should improve third-up. Atishu is back from a let-up and is fitter for multiple trial runs. Topweight Olmedo handles soft tracks well, while Berdibek is resuming from a 23 week break.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Olmedo (8)

One of three runners for Annabel Neasham. This seven-year-old stallion has four wins and five places from his 22 starts. At his latest starts he finished 9.5 lengths 10th in the All Aged Stakes over 1400m at Randwick where he was winded badly in the final 200m on the heavy track. Handles soft tracks well. Looking to others.

2. Berdibek (13)

One of two runners for John O’Shea. He is resuming from a 23 week break.and has only won one of nine first-up starts. Won at his only previous trip to this track in the Listed Rowley Mile last August. Seems unlikely first-up.

3. So You Win (17)

Although there have already been two scratchings from the Waller stable, this is one of five runners still in the field for Chris Waller. Resumes here from a 16 week break after a 0.3 length win in the January Cup over 2000m at Rosehill. Handles soft going but has drawn wide. Prefer others.

4. Aramayo (4)  – SCRATCHED

5. Brutality (12)

Joe Pride trains this five-year-old gelding that has six wins and nine places from 29 starts. He has had heavy tracks at his last two starts where he ran 4.8 lengths 12th in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile then 10.7 lengths 5th in the Group 3 JRA Plate. Has excellent form on softer tracks and is one of the main chances.

6. Archedemus (15)

This Lope de Vega gelding has a special place in Hawkesbury Cup history as the only horse who has won in non-consecutive years, winning in 2019 and 2021. He has got off to a poor start this campaign finishing in the back half of the field at both runs, but is fitter now and has an affinity with this track. Has the speed to overcome the wide draw. He is the only runner for Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes who have won this race in three of the last four years. The year they missed was 2019 when this horse won for his previous trainer Gwenda Markwell before he came to the Team Hawkes stable. Capable of an upset.

7. Imaging (5)

Part of the Chris Waller team. Chris won this race in 2016 with Amovatio. Imaging finished last at Rosehill at the end of last campaign, then resumed to finish 10th of 10 last start at Newcastle on a soft track. Generally goes well second-up. Prefer others.

8. Kirwan’s Lane (10)

One of the John O’Shea runners. He finished last campaign with two wins and resumed for 3.7 lengths 5th in the Randwick 100 Handicap. Generally improves second-up and is one of the main chances.

9. Criaderas (18)

This Godolphin runner placed in the Villiers Stakes then the Summer Cup at the end of last campaign. Ran 12.4 lengths last of 14 when resuming in the Randwick 100 on a heavy track. Goes well on soft going but prefer to watch him go around.

10. Atishu (9)

Former New Zealand mare who is part of the Waller team. She is by Savabeel and so is Wairere Falls who is also from the Waller stable. She reared at the start and failed to finish in the Coolmore Classic in March. Back from a let-up and is fitter for multiple trial runs, but prefer to see.

11. Art Cadeau (14)

This five-year-old Artie Schiller gelding trained by Terry Robinson at Shoalhaven has six wins and eight places from 16 starts. He resumed for 1.7 lengths 3rd in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes at Newcastle then was 2nd in the Randwick 100 at his latest outing. To be ridden by Tommy Berry who won this race on Amangiri in 2020. Has great soft track form and could win this.

12. Fourhometwo (11)

An Annabel Neasham runner. Has shown improvement in each of his three starts this campaign to run 4.7 lengths 7th in the Randwick 100 at his latest. Not keen.

13. The Frontman (2)

Part of the Waller team and ridden by Brenton Avdulla who won this race on Kingsguard in 2018. Drawn well and should improve third-up. Can place.

14. Our Intrigue (7)  – SCRATCHED

15. Hopeful (6)

One of the Neasham runners. Import having his Australian debut. Watch the betting.

16. Thorin (19)

This runner from the Jean Dubois stable at Goulburn has drawn the outside barrier. Not keen.

17. Wairere Falls (1)  – 1st Emergency

Chris Waller runner that has the inside barrier. Winkers come off for the first time. Won once this preparation at Rosehill three runs back. Wouldn’t surprise to see him in the finish.

18. Marnix (16) – 2nd Emergency

Has been consistent in lower grade races.  Capable of getting into the money.

19. Ruby Tuesday (3) – 3rd Emergency

Five-year-old mare from the Gary Portelli stable. Gary won this race back in 2012 with Somepin Anypin ridden by Jim Cassidy. Has won two races at Hawkesbury. Rough place chance if he gets a start.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
11 Art Cadeau
5 Brutality
6 Archedemus
8 Kirwan’s Lane