John O’Shea alongside Tom Charlton are on tenterhooks for a start in the Parramatta Cup for latest team member Sam Hawkens, in contrast to Sydney Cup nominee gelding Athabascan who is guaranteed a run.
Ex-William Haggas charge Sam Hawkens is the top standby for the 1900m Saturday feature, with Charlton ready to unleash him after positive barrier sessions.
“From the start of the week, it looked like every horse above him was going to accept and that’s how it has panned out,” Charlton said.
“It is what it is. If he gets a run, he’ll run really well.
“He is an absolute gentleman and he’s a horse we really like.”
With victories abroad to 2800m, Sam Hawkens’ initial Aussie foray was the St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick last spring, beaten as the supported favourite.
Post that Haggas farewell, he arrived at O’Shea-Charlton and spent time getting accustomed.
The five-year-old appeared keen and crisp across two fresh trials, eyeing the Sydney Cup (3200m) as destiny, though Charlton banks on a lively resumption.
“His best form in England was over a mile-and-a-half plus, so for him to trial sharply is great,” he said.
“His riders, James (McDonald) and Zac (Lloyd), have been quite complimentary and are saying he’ll be competitive over a mile.
“That gives us confidence he has come back well and he’s going to be a horse for the future, especially when he gets out over a trip.”
Co-stabler Athabascan matches that Sydney Cup (3200m) target for autumn, with owners optimistic for luck at the third go after 2023 second via Circle Of Fire and recent fifth to Arapaho.
“He seems as enthusiastic and happy as ever,” Charlton said of Athabascan.
“He will improve from the run, but he can run a solid race and hopefully set himself up for some races down the line.”
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