Originally off the agenda for Sea King, the Hawkesbury Gold Cup now stands as a pivotal point in his return from tendon injury according to trainer Matthew Dunn.
The 2024 Bendigo Cup victor broke down after running midfield on his first go for Dunn in the Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick that year, enforcing a 15-month absence.
This coming Saturday delivers his third appearance post-break, shifted a week due to a late scratch from Brisbane when conditions worsened to heavy.
Dunn is optimistic for a good account over the 1600m Hawkesbury Gold Cup span, shorter than preferred, to set up stays races going forward.
“He’s still very competitive on the track and keen to do his work,” Dunn said.
“The horse is still there, it’s just a matter of being nice and patient. I’m lucky I’ve got a great bunch of owners that are happy to roll with me.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t be going all the way to Sydney for a race that is short of his right trip, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do.
“There isn’t going to be much on for him here (in Queensland). We’ve had a lot of wet weather and we’re trying to find the right track surface to build his foundation and get him back to where he needs to be.”
Sea King draws gate one with Sam Clipperton, and depending on Saturday, heads back north for Doomben’s Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) on May 16 or a tight seven-day spell before the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).
Regaining zest might position him for the Brisbane Cup (3200m) down the track.
“He will probably come home after Saturday. If not, he could stay down for the Gosford Cup. We’ll see how he goes Saturday, how he comes through it, and work it out,” Dunn said.
“But probably the Chairman’s will be his next run over 2000 metres. There’s also the Hollindale Stakes, but it’s a weight-for-age race and his rating isn’t that high anymore.”
The $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m), one of four stakes on the isolated Saturday fixture, assembles a bumper 16 starters including Coolmore Classic podium finisher Vivy Air and trusty Victorian runner Taken from Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.
Find the best betting markets for the race at trusted sports betting platforms ahead of the Hawkesbury Gold Cup.