Grand Larceny in line for Caulfield races pay day

Hawkes Racing is happy to play the long game with Grand Larceny who will chase back-to-back victories when he lines up at Caulfield Heath.

A last start winner at Moonee Valley, Grand Larceny contests the Evergreen Turf Handicap (1000m) on Saturday.

Grand Larceny is the lowest rated galloper in Saturday’s line-up, but co-trainer Wayne Hawkes does not see that being a problem for the lightly-raced half-brother to Yes Yes Yes.

“If he had a bit of luck, he would have won his last two,” Hawkes said.

“He’s first emergency as he was both his previous times, so he is only just sneaking into fields, but it looks a good race for him.”

Saturday’s race is a benchmark 64 and Hawkes said Grand Larceny was heading to Saturday’s contest as it was the race that best suited the gelding.

Hawkes said he and his co-trainer brother Michael and father John would be in no hurry to rush Grand Larceny to the top, preferring to run the sprinter through the grades.

But Hawkes is also aware if successful on Saturday, the gelding could be adversely affected going forward.

“He’s going to be a pretty handy horse, but we just want to go through the grades,” Hawkes said.

“As it is, we’re a jumping in grade as we have to.

“It’s very hard these days to go through and do what Briasa did (in Sydney).

“Briasa was just a bit lucky that he ran a 64, then he ran a 72, then there was the next race and then there was an 84 at a midweek Kensington meeting.

“That never happens, so we were just a bit lucky that he could go through his classes.

“We have all these class rating systems, but the worst part is there’s no suitable race, so you have to jump a class, and if you jump a class and do a job, then the handicapper will penalise you.

“It’s not your fault and it’s not the handicapper’s fault, but he penalises you because he says, ‘Well, you ran it’, but we say ‘Where else do I run it?’

“The rating system really needs to be looked at to encourage horse to go through the system.”

Craig Williams replaces the injured Michael Dee aboard Grand Larceny on Saturday.

“It was bad luck for Mick Dee,” Hawkes said.

“He was booked to ride him as soon as he won at The Valley as he was coming here, but obviously he got hurt.

“Grand Larceny’s only had a handful of starts, but he’s in good form.”