Hawkes has high hopes after Flemington win

Hawkes Racing has always held Thaad in high esteem and he didn’t let the stable down at Flemington, notching up a come-from-behind win.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the stable hoped the three-year-old might be capable of winning a good race during the spring after his victory in the Bay And Ranges Region Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.

Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, Thaad ($19) scored by a long-head from What A Shock ($21), with Atlantic Express ($26) a half-length away in third.

Hawkes revealed the stable had considered sending Thaad to Brisbane for the Queensland Derby.

“He went by the wayside a bit and we had to change tack with him,” Hawkes said.

“He’s been a bit hot and cold but maybe if he can put a few together he might be back here in the spring.

“I’m not saying in the big one but we might be able to find a nice race for him.”

Hawkes said Thaad only arrived from their Sydney stable on Friday morning.

He said the gelding was a thinker and the change of scenery had switched him on.

But Hawkes admitted he had concerns at the half-way point.

“It wasn’t pretty at the half-mile as they hadn’t gone hard early and he was over-racing,” Hawkes said.

“What won him the race was Dwayne didn’t panic.”

The win of Thaad completed a double for Dunn after he won the opening race aboard Royal Symphony.