Hawkes reveals greatest Group 1 moment

John Hawkes was 12 years old when Tulloch won in Adelaide in 1961. He was inspired to become a trainer after riding ponies from the age of five. In 50 years, he has trained more than 5000 winners, including 116 at Group 1 level. He won nine Sydney trainer premierships and set a Commonwealth record for most wins in a season.

Hawkes has been training in partnership with his sons, Wayne and Michael since 2008. He has two horses in the running at Eagle Farm on Saturday. His stable also has horses at Royal Randwick, including Surreal Step in a $150,000 Bob Charley AO Stakes (1200m) and Overmann in $1m JJ Atkins Stake (1600m).

Hawkes reveals greatest Group 1 moment. Wild Planet is a leading chance in the Stradbroke Handicap.

Hawkes rode the first winner he trained 50 years ago. He gave up riding to focus on training. He had a dual licence when he started out as a trainer. There were many superstar trainers at the time.

Hawkes had been training for less than two years when he got champion filly Toltrice. TolTrice won the 1972 Thousand Guineas and VRC Oaks. Hawkes trained the quinella with Little Papoose finishing second.

Hawkes moved to Melbourne in 1992 to train at Crown Lodge. He was approached by Sydney owners Jack and Bob Ingham and took over as their private trainer. Hawkes trained champions Octagonal and Lonhro, the freakish filly Unworldly, Golden Slipper winners Guineas and Forensics, and the likes of Freemason, Railings, Arena, Over, Paratroopers, Mentality and Fiumicino.

Hawkes started a training partnership with his sons, Wayne and Michael, in 2008. Wayne always wanted to get involved in training, but Michael wanted it more. Hawkes is happy to work with them. He would not have worked if not for the opportunity to do so.

Hawkes says the biggest problem facing the racing industry is getting stable staff and trackwork riders. He thinks the industry should have promoted it more 20-30 years ago. The vast majority of people in the horse racing business look after their horses.  Hawke defends the welfare of horses and promotes the good things about racing.

Hawkes reveals greatest Group 1 moment. Chautauqua's win in Hong Kong is his biggest highlight.

Hawkes has won many races during his career. Chautauqua came from last to win the Chairman's Sprint Prize in Hong Kong. Hawkes and his family bought a horse there as a yearling.

Hawkes didn't want to train overseas. He didn’t want the opportunity to work in the Australian racing and breeding industry.

Hawkes reveals his greatest moment at the Inghams.

Hawkes was happy to stay in England and move on to the next phase of his career with his family.

"Australia is the best country in the world and has the most racing.

It's 60 years since Tulloch won the 1961 Brisbane Cup. Hawkes would not like to start out as a trainer these days.

Racing is a completely different model to when he started in 1971. It is seven days a week, 52 weeks of the year. The stable has won most of big races over the years.

Hawkes is grateful for his wife Jen and their stable.

Hawkes reveals his greatest Group 1 moment.

Hawkes reveals his favourite moment from working with his family.