Godolphin Out In Force On "Home" Course

An impressive win in Listed company at his most recent outing has earned Handfast a leading role in a strong Godolphin team at Hawkesbury, Australia, on Saturday, April 30.

Handfast (John O'Shea/James McDonald) steps up to G3 level in the Hawkesbury Guineas at a meeting in which the Osborne Park yard has entered 11 runners at a venue that ranks as its local track.

The son of Street Cry had always indicated he was up to Stakes class having been placed twice in Listed races as a two-year-old, and has realised his potential with three wins from his four starts this time in.

"He's come into his own this preparation and took a big step forward last start when we added blinkers for the first time just to help him focus," said trainer John O'Shea.

"That was a good race and he won with a lot of authority, so we're looking forward to giving him his chance at this level."

Handfast is one of four Godolphin runners in stakes races at Hawkesbury, along with Malice and Medcaut in the G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup and the filly Fitou in the G3 Godolphin Crown.

Medcaut (John O'Shea/James McDonald) and Malice (John O'Shea/Grant Buckley) have little between them on recent form, having finished alongside each other when resuming at Randwick on April 9.

"They were both pretty good in a very competitive race last time, but Medcaut probably had the tougher run and has a better gate this time," O'Shea said.

A forward showing from Fitou (John O'Shea/James McDonald) in the G3 Godolphin Crown is also anticipated on the strength of her solid effort when fifth at Warwick Farm when resuming from a break earlier this month.

"She's shown us that she's coming back to her form of last preparation when she won a couple in a row," O'Shea said.

"This race suits, she likes the 1300 metre trip and she has a good gate."