#John Hawkes

Champion sprinter Nature Strip remains a short-priced favourite to go back-to-back in The Everest (1200m) after Tuesday's spectacular barrier draw despite copping the widest gate. The Chris Waller-trained gelding drew barrier 12 for the $15m feature race at Randwick which is typically not ideal, however, there are some suggestions this will allow…

He has drawn the dreaded box seven again, but Hara's Herbie will still be hard to beat in the third Queensland Derby heat at Albion Park on Thursday night, according to trainer Jemma Daley. He will go in as the second favourite at $2.80 across online betting sites after his excellent last-start victory over the same 520m distance at Ipswich last…

John Hawkes was only a schoolboy when the mighty Tulloch won in Adelaide but he remembers the race like it was yesterday. "I was 12 years old when I saw Tulloch,'' Hawkes said. "It was at the old Cheltenham track and the place was jam-packed. "It was a long time ago but you don't forget those days.'' Tulloch was nearing the end of his magnificent…

You've not been paying attention-and why would you have been?-but three OTE writers have recently become fathers, the two of us for the first time. Of course, as we all know, that comes with loads of spare time while the little potato just lies there and requires no attention or assistance from us, no sir. What follows is a set of previews of…

You hear plenty of familiar names around the Magic Millions sales grounds. It seems like it was headed by either Gai and Adrian - and you didn't need to add Waterhouse and Bott, or thanks Maher/Eustace when another was knocked down to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock. Annabel, as in Neasham, was on the charts with a bullet. Or then there was "Vinnie", as…

The Golden Slipper is the crown jewel of the Sydney Autumn Carnival, and we will be treated to another exciting edition of the world's richest two-year-old race this Saturday at Rosehill. The $5 million feature has attracted some of the top juveniles from around the country, including Ciaron Maher and David Eustace's undefeated filly Coolangatta,…

Gary Portelli's sliding doors moment came as Clarry Conners was singing "New York, New York" on the dance floor. Conners had just won his fourth Golden Slipper with Belle Du Jour and invited Portelli to join the celebrations that night. The year was 2000 and as Conners was doing his best Frank Sinatra impersonation, Portelli realised what he needed…

Initially, I didn't need any race form for this project. Weights and measures count, like times and ratings, breeding, management and navigation. But racehorses appeal simply as individuals. Watching them run, walk, parade or simply stand is one of life's pleasures - and educations. Winston Churchill once said, "There is something about the outside…

Trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are keen for Cythera to enhance her reputation and Ebhaar to restore hers when they clash in the Group 2 $250000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Cythera is out to prove she is a legitimate Golden Slipper contender after making a winning start to her race career with a tough effort to…

Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes concedes there is no certainty even a proven wet-tracker like Mr Mozart will handle the extremely heavy conditions at Royal Randwick on Saturday. "When the track gets to a Heavy 10, then you can't say with any confidence if a horse will get through the going," Hawkes said. "Even those horses like Mr Mozart, who…

I Wish I Win (NZ) is favourite for the Toorak Handicap. Picture: Scott Barbour-Racing Photos via Getty Images Punters are backing boom galloper I Wish I Win to overcome a tricky draw in Saturday's Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield. I Wish I Win was $3.20 into $2.60 when TAB markets opened for the feature mile where Peter Moody's in-form…

News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at the chances of every runner in Saturday's $3m Group 1 Caulfield Guineas. $3m GROUP 1 CAULFIELD GUINEAS 1600m, Caulfield race 8 Saturday at 4:30pm 1. TIJUANA (10) - $11 Trainers: Ben & JD Hayes. Jockey: Mark Zahra 57kg BRAD SAYS: Quality three-year-old proven at 1600m after winning the Stutt Stakes.…

Better for the first up run, Swats That is favourite with Ladbrokes.com.au for the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) this Saturday at Flemington. The Maher/Eustace trained mare resumed in the Bobbie Lewis three weeks ago when a closing third to Baller ( $8 - $8.50) and has a good record down the straight. She heads the market at $5.50. Roch N Horse and…

Waller reveals Cup decision was Verry difficult Verry Elleegant get another chance in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller has revealed how close he came to not giving champion mare Verry Elleegant her chance to crown her career by winning the $7.75m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington…