Hawkesbury Gold Cup looms as vital test for returning Sea King

Trainer Matthew Dunn did not originally target the Hawkesbury Gold Cup for Sea King, but he sees it playing a crucial role in the gelding's rehabilitation from tendon trouble.

After claiming the 2024 Bendigo Cup, Sea King struggled post a mid-pack finish in his initial run for Dunn in the Christmas Cup (2400m) at Randwick that year, sidelined for 15 months thereafter.

Saturday brings his third start back from a break, postponed slightly after a scratch from Brisbane last weekend owing to heavy conditions.

Dunn expects a encouraging effort over the Hawkesbury Gold Cup's 1600m, despite it being shorter than Sea King's best, aiming towards stamina tests later.

"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."

From barrier one, Sam Clipperton will steer Sea King, with post-race plans including a Queensland return for the May 16 Chairman's Handicap (2000m) at Doomben or a possible seven-day gap to the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).

Should he shine, the staying Brisbane Cup (3200m) enters future considerations.

"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."

Featuring among four stakes races on the standalone Saturday lineup, the $250,000 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) boasts a maximum 16-runner lineup topped by Vivy Air, third in the Coolmore Classic, and steady Victorian challenger Taken trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr.

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