Hankee Alpha arrived in the stable of trainer Cindy Alderson with the primary objective of competing in the ‘Grey’s Race’ on day three of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. However, the sheer dominance displayed in the mare’s Australian debut win at Flemington has prompted a significant alteration in her campaign goals.

The Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes, scheduled over 1200 metres this Saturday, is now being considered for Hankee Alpha, offering a chance for the Proisir filly to achieve ‘Black Type’ status.

Although the race was a benchmark 78 event contested on a heavy track when Alderson introduced the mare on October 3, Hankee Alpha’s performance was exceptional, achieving a decisive six-length victory over the straight 1200m course.

“When she first came over, she came over for the ‘grey’s race’ (1400m), as she has got form over that trip in New Zealand,” Alderson shared.

“I always had an inclination that she would be a good straight horse from a few things I saw about her in New Zealand.

“She was a little bit steady out of the barriers, and she didn’t muster speed all that quickly but was always building in her races to the line.

“That to me suggested she would set up as a good straight horse, which luckily, I was right about.

“It was only a benchmark 78, but she put them away pretty emphatically and had the race won a long way out.

“Whether it was a one off, or whether it was the wet track, but she’s given me every indication that she gone on.”

Alderson had also identified the Group 3 Asahi Super Dry Sprint (1100m) as a fallback option, but indicated a preference for Hankee Alpha not to gain a start in that race.

Fortunately for Alderson, the mare secured the 20th spot in the full field and will be ridden by Craig Williams, who was aboard for her initial Australian success.

She mentioned that the opportunity to again test Hankee Alpha down the straight was too significant to bypass, even though it coincides with the prestigious Victoria Derby Day.

“I said to the owners that you only get straight track racing in Victoria 13 times a year, and four are coming up this week, so we might as well give it a go,” Alderson stated.

“It wouldn’t be impossible, if she didn’t live up to expectations, that she could go to the ‘grey’s race’ on the Thursday.”

Following her commanding win, Hankee Alpha participated in jump-outs, recording a victory over 800m on October 19.

“She wasn’t as impressive as she was before her win, but it was only 800 metres and it’s kept her fitness up,” Alderson remarked.

Why not check out the racing odds at these leading sports betting platforms?