Hawkesbury makes history with Stakes debut

There have been many firsts for NSW racing during the springs of the past decade, and the running of the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury on Saturday, only adds to the list.

For the first time, a provincial club, acting as the secondary meeting on a Saturday, will hold a Listed race after the meeting was switched from Oaks Day to the weekend.

“We asked Racing NSW to move the meeting, and they were happy to give us this opportunity,” Hawkesbury chief executive James Heddo said.

“It gives another feature Saturday, to go with our stand-alone meeting and country music day, and it has got a lot of support from the community.”

“We have sold out all our hospitality and are expecting a big crowd, which will more than double what we would have got on Thursday.”

Hawkesbury was the first Provincial club to have a stand-alone meeting 20 years ago and this race is ideally placed at the end of the spring, giving milers a chance to press their claims for The Gong and campaigns into the summer.

Wyong trainer Nathan Doyle will send his two handy mares Harlem Queen and Overriding to Hawkesbury at different points of their preparations.

Overriding will be tested at 1600m, a trip she has won her only run at, in stakes grade after being Group 3-placed in the Mona Lisa Stakes at the start of her spring, which led to her getting into the Invitation, where she finished midfield.

“There are no Stefi Magnetica in this race and I think she is ready to relax and run out a strong mile,” Doyle said.

He also has Group 1 placed Harlem Queen getting out to a trip that will suit her as she begins the road to Magic Millions in a couple of months.

“We have waited with her to focus on getting her to the Magic Millions rather than racing in the spring,” Doyle said.

“She was all right in the Silver Eagle over a trip below her best.”

“I think both my horses get in well at the weights and get their chance for a black type win.”