IT is going to be a big weekend for Canberra horsewoman Melissa Hawke as she travels to different parts of the state to compete at various TAB.COM.AU Carnival of Cups meetings.
First stop is Parkes on New Year’s Eve where the 27-year-old is driving in the two main feature races on the program.
Hawke is one of only two reinswomen competing in the Langlands Hanlon Sprint and is ready to take on the boys with her pacer Modern Maestro, a $7.50 chance with TAB Fixed Odds.
Actually, Hawke is not bothered about the boys at all, however, more so taking on the ‘Queen’ of the Western Districts tracks in Amanda Turnbull and her pacer Parramatta, the $2 favourite.
“I’m used to racing against the boys these days . . . you just have to be,” Hawke said.
“It’s going to be tough, there are five Turnbulls in the race and their horses always step up but Amanda’s horse Parramatta is the horse to beat.”
With Parramatta drawn in 11 on the back row, Hawke will be taking advantage of Modern Maestro’s front row draw of four.
“My horse can really ping the gate so we will be making the most of the draw and hopefully find the top,” Hawke said.
“We have been really happy with his two starts back this season.
“A few were initially disappointed with his first start back but he settled second last and they went 1:56 around Canberra so it was impossible to beat them and we were happy with how he found the line.
“He ran another good race at Wagga last start . . . he led and they pressured him and they went 1:57 so did extremely well to finish second considering he was only beaten by 11m by the winner and they gapped the rest of the field by 45m.”
Modern Maestro is raced by a large group of owners that are certain to be on the sideline cheering their 10-time winner home.
“They are such a great bunch of owners that are all family and close friends from the country and they travel everywhere to watch him race,” Hawke said.
“No matter where he finishes, they get so excited and lean over the fence cheering him on . . . it gives me such a buzz.”
Hawke’s next drive is on Spirit Rainbow in the Golden Bar Three-Year-Old Pace.
“She has been racing well this season and she has gatespeed too so hopefully we find the lead with her as well,” Hawke said.
“She had a good end to her two-year-old campaign and it will be nice to see her do well as Dad (Michael Hawke) owns her outright and he hasn’t been well of late.
“Dad had a stroke a few months back and lost vision in one eye.
“He took a gamble with this filly as well . . . he bought her when watching the live feed of the APG (Australian Pacing Gold) Sale on the internet and only paid $4000 for her and she is by Art Major.
“She has a turned out leg but Dad bought her anyway and she has been good to us so far winning three race.”
Michael trains both Modern Maestro and Spirit Rainbow as well as Maybe Shes Perfect which is racing in the last race at Parkes.
Hawke will also drive that mare then pack her bags and get ready to head to Leeton’s Carnival of Cups meeting the following day to take part in the Kriden Park Lady Drivers Invitation where she will drive the pacer Navajo Rocky.
“It’s going to be a big couple of days but I’m looking forward to it,” Hawke said.
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