The Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained La Amistad kicks off their Spring Cups’ campaign in Sydney at Hawkesbury this Thursday heading the 2014 Rowley Mile field.

2014 Caulfield Cup fancy La Amistad runs in Thursday's Rowley Mile 2014 at Hawkesbury. Photo: Steve Hart.

One of a dozen final acceptors for this year’s $100,000 Listed ILG XXXX Gold Hawkesbury Rowley Mile (1600m) the Redoute’s Choice mare is also nominated for all the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival’s majors.

The five-year-old is a top fancy in early Caulfield Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $17 to win the October 18 feature in markets led by Australian Oaks winner Rising Romance ($15).

The bookies are also taking no chances in regards to a possible weight-for-age run in the $3 million Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) the following weekend either with La Amistad at $34 to win the October 25 clash.

She was last seen posting three consecutive wins by a combined nine lengths, the most recent of which was a four length effort over Destiny’s Kiss in the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Randwick on May 24.

James McDonald rides on Thursday with La Amistad drawn well in barrier three looking for her maiden first-up win to kick off an ambitious spring campaign.

The other headline acceptor for the handicap clash is the Chris Waller-trained I’m Imposing, allocated 57.5kg and drawn wide in barrier 11.

The veteran nine-year-old enjoyed a late career win two back on July 12 at Randwick in the Shoot Out Handicap over the mile before the Danehill Dancer’s last start second to stablemate He’s Your Man in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) at Rosehill on August 2 carrying the same weight he has for Thursday.

Waller has a total of four chances in the race with his other hopes being New Zealand-bred Tougher Than Ever (54kg), Winter Challenge third placegetter Coup Ay Tee (57.5kg) with the outside barrier and roughie shot Brigantin (58.5kg).

The Rowley Mile topweight meanwhile is the Joe Pride-trained Stayers Cup winner in the wet three back Destiny’s Kiss with 59kg and Blake Shinn to ride.

The Power Of Destiny gelding was last seen running fifth in the Winter Cup on June 28 and will appreciate any rain having won five of his nine starts on Heavy tracks.

Other notable hopes then include the Tony McEvoy-trained local Mr Chard racing at the track for the first time who ran a close second to Group 1 winner Tiger Tees in the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 9 and stakes cups specialist Travolta for Gai Waterhouse.

See below for the full Rowley Mile 2014 field, barriers, jockeys and weights.

Then head over to Ladbrokes.com.au and open an account with the country’s leading sportsbook to get a better price on your horse racing selections for the Rowley Mile, this weekend and into the spring!

2014 Rowley Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw

Hawkesbury Race 6 (3:45pm) – 21/08/2014