Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has been thrilled with the form and class displayed by Longeron since his racing return a fortnight ago and is confident the conditions of Sunday’s 2015 Kilmore Cup (1600m) will play directly into the strengths of the six-year-old.
Longeron is primed for a big performance in Sunday’s 2015 Kilmore Cup. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia
Longeron jumped from the gates well in the Emirates Airline Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on Stakes Day but was caught wide from the outset; receiving a tough run in transit and completely luckless in the final straight when hampered early and unable to recover; eventually finishing a still-credible sixth.
Hawkes told Racing Ahead the Lonhro gelding has taken plenty of benefit from his first-up run, will relish a step-up to 1600m for the 2015 Kilmore Cup and is confident the horse is primed for a return to the winner’s circle.
“It’s a good race for him,” Hawkes said.
“His run at Flemington the other day was actually ridiculously good.
“He had nothing go right for him – he was always wide then the horse in front of him nearly fell coming around the corner when they all went to the outside fence.
“He’s probably also nearly in career-best form and he hasn’t won in a while, so he’s going well.”
Longeron has posted and impressive six wins and nine minors through 28 career starts since first debuting for Team Hawkes in the late stages of the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival.
Returning this year for second in the #Hashtag BM90 (1400m) on March 21st, Longeron was unlucky to be blocked for a run late when seventh in the Ross Stevenson Trophy (1600m) but responded well in running second in both the Peter Armytage Handicap (1700m) and Momentum Energy Trophy (1800m).
Posting winning form when beating a talented field to the line in the KA Morrison BM90 (1700m) on May 23rd, Longeron returned to the paddock after running fourth in a Flemington minor over 1800m and the Winter Championship Heat (1600m) at Ballarat on July 1st.
The 2015 Kilmore Cup final field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.
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