Nothing set in stone for Brutal in spring

Hawkes Racing has not set spring plans for Doncaster Mile winner Brutal who is back in work.

A campaign for Doncaster Mile winner Brutal has yet to be finalised with The Everest a possibility should a slot become available.

But to date the world’s richest race on turf is not front of mind at Hawkes Racing.

Brutal has not raced since winning the Doncaster Mile at Randwick in April with the rising four-year-old having had just three gallops in preparation for his spring return.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes, who is in partnership with his father John and brother Michael, said a program was yet to be finalised.

Hawkes is not concerned there are few slots remaining for The Everest, saying things can change between now and the $14 million race at Randwick on October 19.

“Some of these horses aren’t going to come up and people will be looking to change slots,” Hawkes said.

“Could you set Brutal for The Everest? Yes you could.

“Could he win The Everest? Yes he could because he’s a 1200-metre horse that runs out to a mile, but it depends on how he comes back.”

Horses confirmed for slots for this year’s race are Redzel, Classique Legend, Santa Ana Lane, Sunlight, In Her Time, Pierata, Acadia Queen and Enticing Star.

Remaining slots in the 12-horse field are held by Godolphin, Coolmore, James Harron and the Australian Turf Club/Melbourne Racing Club.

Hawkes asked what the new horses were in this year’s Everest line-up.

“There’s not many new horses this year,” he said.

“It’s not as if we’ve had five new Black Caviars or Chautauquas all coming into the action, so Brutal could do it, but I don’t know if that’s our target race.”