Following a luckless autumn, trainer David Pfieffer is hoping his fortunes turn for the better at Hawkesbury’s huge Stand-Alone Saturday meeting this weekend.
Pfieffer has nominated Denmagic for the $200,000 Blacktown Workers Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) and Cradle Me in the $175,000 Godolphin Crown (1300m) – both events being at Group 3 level.
Denmagic, a highly-promising filly with two wins and four placings from just 10 starts, has been mixing it in Stakes races at her past three appearances and on each occasion has come from well back to finish on the placegetters’ heels.
The latest was when fifth (beaten 1.1 lengths) to Yattarna in the James Carr Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on April 16: “This filly has simply had no luck of late but has run home very well clocking excellent sectionals,” Pfieffer said.
“She is going to love the set-weights plus penalties conditions of the Hawkesbury Guineas and if she receives the right run and is within striking distance straightening up, she is going to be awfully hard to hold out.”
Cradle Me is an honest performer with 10 wins and nine placings from 46 starts and similarly has not enjoyed the best of luck at her past three outings. Last start the seven-year-old finished fifth (three lengths) in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 9 coming from 11th spot nearing the home turn. There is no doubting the quality of Cradle Me, being a dual Stakes winner (Razor Sharp Handicap, 1200m & Canterbury Classic, 1200m) at Royal Randwick in December last year.
“She came from near last at Randwick and was getting to the post probably better than any other runner. Again her closing sectionals were first rate and should she get a decent passage during the run on Saturday, she’ll launch late at them.
“Both horses are in excellent condition and have been working really well in preparation for Saturday. I’m heading up to Hawkesbury with two happy, healthy horses that just need a bit of luck and I’m sure they’ll be right in the finish.
“Hawkesbury puts on an excellent stand-alone meeting and it could turn out a great payday for our stable.”
– Racing NSW
