Hankee Alpha was transferred to the care of trainer Cindy Alderson with the specific objective of securing victory in the ‘Grey’s Race’ during the third day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. However, the sheer dominance of the mare’s Australian debut win at Flemington has led to a reassessment of objectives.
The Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes, scheduled for Saturday over 1200 metres, is now a target for Hankee Alpha, presenting an opportunity for the daughter of Proisir to claim some ‘Black Type’.
While it was only a benchmark 78 race on a heavy track when Alderson presented the mare on October 3, Hankee Alpha’s performance was nothing short of spectacular, achieving a six-length triumph on 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 stated.
“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 considered the Group 3 Asahi Super Dry Sprint (1100m) as a secondary option, but felt it preferable if Hankee Alpha did not make the final field for that race.
Fortuitously for Alderson, the mare secured the 20th spot in the capacity field and will be guided by Craig Williams, who was in the saddle for her initial Australian victory.
She indicated that the chance to again test Hankee Alpha down the straight was too compelling to ignore, despite it being on 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 explained.
“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 win 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.
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