Trainer John Hawkes has conceded a lot will have to play out in the favour on classy five-year-old Mecir to justify resounding support from punters and win the 2014 Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on Friday.

Charged with the unenviable tasks of carrying a race-high weight of 58kgs and allocated the awkward barrier 13, Hawkes told TVN he is confident the Lonhro gelding will handle the step up to a mile for the first time competitively in the Scone Cup.

“He’s got a big job with 58 and barrier 13, he needs a lot of luck” Hawkes said.

“You still need luck from bad gates. Plenty of horses at Randwick and Flemington don’t win from wide gates. You always need luck from bad gates.

“I suppose until you actually do it, you never know. It is always a query until a horse actually does it.”

With the Scone Cup figuring as an eighth appearance on track for Mecir this preparation, Hawkes confirmed a return to the spelling paddock for the gelding out of Magistra Delecta ahead of what will likely be a busy 2014 spring.

“He will come back a better horse next time round” Hawkes added.

Claiming five wins and two places from 17 competitive race starts to date, Mecir has arguably hit career-best form over his current racing season; winning the Blackwoods Loctite Maiden (1200m) first-up and working towards an impressive victory in the Group 3 Newcastle Newmarket Handicap (1400m) on March 19^th prior to his most recent run for fourth in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m).

While appearing to be up against all odds in Friday’s feature race at Scone, punters jumped all over an opening quote of more than $7 for Mecir, registering the five-year-old as clear market mover and $5.50 favourite for success.

Interestingly, three runners current share the second line of betting for success at Scone on Friday; Destiny’s Kiss, Prince Cheri and Wistful each given a chance at $6 odds.

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