Stakes attention turns to Hawkesbury

After the excitement of the final Group One events in Sydney, racing moves to the city’s outskirts for the annual Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting.

Saturday’s program features four black-type races headed by the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas with more than $1 million on offer for the day.

The club has a new sponsor for what was formerly the Godolphin Crown with local company Killahy Equine taking ownership of the Group Three race for fillies and mares.

The company will also be building a new 80 box, on-course stable complex.

“We have been very impressed with the approach of Killahy Equine and their team, as they embark on the construction of our on-course stables development, to commence shortly after Stand Alone Saturday and we look forward to working with them”, Hawkesbury chief executive Greg Rudolph said.

“To gain the support of Killahy Equine, who have successfully developed the high-profile Inglis’ Riverside complex and Magic Millions Swan Valley Sales Complex alongside other international racing and equine jurisdictions, is a testament to their professionalism and diligence in their field and a great boost for us.”

Since it began in 2006, the meeting has heralded the arrival of class horses including Chautauqua, Zoustar, Alverta, Solicit and Graff.

The club will also run a bus from Randwick Racecourse to Hawkesbury, north-west of the CBD.