Lucrative goals await Makarena
The Team Hawkes-trained Makarena put a valuable Group win on the board, when she claimed the scalp of Group 1 winner Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in Saturday’s Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill.
The mare was forced to do the heavy work behind runaway leader Belclere (Per Incanto) first-up in the Sheraco Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) and did a good job to fight on for fourth, but being able to camp off a more moderate tempo in Saturday’s 1400-metre feature, she proved too strong.
“She showed her true colours today,” said Michael Hawkes, who trains the winner in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne. “It was all about trying to get her in a rhythm. Last start, nothing really went right for her, she was made to chase, the horse went off out in front and nothing went to plan.
“Today was a different race, 1400, Zac [Lloyd] got her into a beautiful rhythm and she travelled well.”
Makarena rounded the turn full of running and found plenty for Lloyd to score a 1.2-length victory over Amelia’s Jewel, who appeared to have every chance to run her down, but ultimately ran out of gas to finish second for the second successive time, having occupied that same position last-start in the Tramway Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) two weeks earlier. Arctic Glamour (Frosted) was doing her best work late to finish third, another 0.2 lengths away.
Twice placed in black-type company during the autumn, Makarena underwent surgery for a throat issue prior to her current campaign and Hawkes felt it had made a significant difference.
“I’ve always thought she is a Group 1 filly. Last prep, she had that throat, and we just had to push on,” Hawkes said.
“We gave her the tie-back operation to get her right and she is just a really, free-flowing sort of filly. She is definitely going somewhere.
“It was just about getting the Group win under her belt and she has got that now, which is great.”
Team Hawkes will let the dust settle before fixing a plan for Makarena, but The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on October 26 and Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill a week later are among the options.
“She is only second-up today so she is in for a really nice prep,” Hawkes said. “The Invitation is there, Golden Eagle. It’s all there. There’s no rush.”
Group 1 winner Tropical Squall (Prized Icon) disappointed for the second time this campaign, dropping out to finish last after leading, with her jockey Adam Hyeronimus unable to offer an excuse.
“Today was D-day. She probably didn’t go as well as she can. If she did, she beats those horses. I guess they’ll look at her future now,” Hyeronimus said.
Tommy Berry wasn’t disappointed in Amelia’s Jewel’s effort and said she raced like a horse looking for further.
“It felt like she was looking for a mile today,” Berry said. “Even though the track is drying out, it has been well documented on firm ground is where she is best suited. We’ll let the dust settle, proud of her efforts and see where we go from there.”