Dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m)-winning trainer John Hammond has confirmed that Haky (Muhtathir), third to already established Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) contender Marmelo (Duke Of Marmalade) in Sunday’s Prix Kergorlay (Gr 2, 3000m) at Deauville, will also be aimed at this year’s Melbourne spring carnival.
Haky, raced by Terry Henderson’s OTI Racing, was described as a horse “continuing to improve” by Hammond after his sound performance in the Deauville Group 2 from which Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden (Nicobar), Americain (Dynaformer) and Protectionist (Monsun) have progressed. Marmelo was second in both races last year.
“He is a much improved horse,” Hammond told ANZ Bloodstock News on Sunday. “We ran him here today hoping to hit the board which he’s done. It was a bit unfortunate that he and the other horse [fourth placed Mille Et Mille] took each other on. They used up a bit of petrol doing that, but he stayed on very well under the circumstances.
“It was only his third run for the year so he’s going to go to Australia as a fresh horse and can hopefully fire two or three good bullets down there,” Hammond said.
Neither Hammond nor Henderson were concerned with Gerald Mosse’s decision to push forward but would have preferred the horse not to have had an on-pace rival.
“He can go forward, that’s fine,” Hammond said. “That’s a style of racing which probably suits him best and he’s definitely better on top of the ground. He’s a very fresh horse for this time of the year and relatively lightly raced so I’d think there’s something more to come with him.
“Rather weirdly for a five-year-old he drew two splints, both on the outside, earlier in the year and that’s why he didn’t run until July. He’s actually been a very sound horse and he’s in good order now.”
“You wouldn’t miss it, would you?” Hammond said when asked if he would also be heading to Melbourne.
Meanwhile, Henderson said the Herbert Power Stakes (Gr 2, 2400m) at Caulfield on October 12 was the likely starting point for Haky. “The plan is to get him to Melbourne on the first shipment and probably give him a run in the Herbert Power but ultimately the Melbourne Cup is his right race,” Henderson told ANZ Bloodstock News.
“Ratings wise we’ve still got a long way to go so he will need to win his way into the better races. It would be lovely to have him there for the Bart Cummings but that’s not going to happen time wise.”
Haky had his first start for OTI last November, having had three runs when raced by Jim Paltridge, who still has a share in the horse, while he has been trained throughout his 13 start career by Hammond.
“We got him about this time last year,” said Henderson. “Patience has been the key and he had a lengthy break after last season. He ran very well on Sunday after he began poorly and then pulled for the first four furlongs.
He’s a much better horse in front. He’s a real fighter but he does need to settle and get in a rhythm.
“And the great thing is that Jim Paltridge who runs IRT (International Racehorse Transport) has a share in the horse so I don’t think there’ll be any problem getting the horse on the plane.”
Henderson then quipped: “We might be able to kick a few of Aidan’s off the plane or maybe Cross Counter.”
Haky is expected to start his quarantine period from mid-September, arrive in Melbourne on September 28 and be eligible to race in Australia from Caulfield Guineas Day (October 12) onward.
With his rating having reached 49.0 in France (equivalent to a rating of approximately 108 in Australia), Haky’s Australian campaign is likely to start in the $400,000 G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 12.
