Team Hawkes will test the waters for a spring campaign in Melbourne with Rainbow Styling in the Group Three Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm.Rainbow Styling warmed up for a shot at Saturday's 2200-metre feature with a commanding restricted class win over 1666m at Ipswich last Saturday.Co-trainer Michael Hawkes brought a team of only two horses to Queensland for the late winter carnival races and has based himself at his father-in-law's property at Caloundra, north of Brisbane.Hawkes is unconcerned

Team Hawkes will test the waters for a spring campaign in Melbourne with Rainbow Styling in the Group Three Tattersall's Cup at Eagle Farm.

Rainbow Styling warmed up for a shot at Saturday's 2200-metre feature with a commanding restricted class win over 1666m at Ipswich last Saturday.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes brought a team of only two horses to Queensland for the late winter carnival races and has based himself at his father-in-law's property at Caloundra, north of Brisbane.

Hawkes is unconcerned about backing up Rainbow Styling just a week after his winning Ipswich effort.

"The Tattersall's Cup has always been his main goal this time in," Hawkes said.

"He's by Zabeel and they generally need time. I liked his win at Ipswich and backing up in a week shouldn't be a problem."

Rainbow Styling won the Listed Tatt's Cup (2000m) at Randwick in January but Hawkes has reservations whether he can cope past a middle distance.

"I think around 2200 metres is his right distance," Hawkes said.

"I don't think he can run a strong 2400 metres so I doubt we'll be looking at the big races in Melbourne.

"If he runs well he'll go for a break and what races he runs in down there will depend on how he's going."

Rainbow Styling came to Queensland for last year's Tattersall's Cup but could only finish fifth to the Brian Smith-trained Hume.

"He's a bit older now but he ran fifth last year when he ran home strongly," Hawkes said.

"He came here the year before for the Queensland Derby and he's getting better with age and his work this week was nice and bright."

Rainbow Styling ran fourth to Riva San in the 2008 Queensland Derby and has steadily improved in each preparation since.

Hawkes said Rainbow Styling would have headed north earlier but suffered a setback and was behind in his preparation.

"He missed a run in Sydney and had to have his first start back from a spell without a trial," Hawkes said.

"His Ipswich run has topped him off nicely."

Trainer John Wheeler is hoping for improved performances from stablemates Court Ruler and The Grogoch in the Tattersall's Cup.

Court Ruler has failed in all three appearances this campaign including a last-start 15th to Crossthestart in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 12.

The Grogoch ran a solid third in the Group Three Chairman's Handicap (2020m) at Doomben in May before a last-start 10th to Pleasure Time in a 2020-metre class six at Doomben on June 14.

"The Grogoch had 59 kilos last start which was probably more than he deserved," Wheeler said.

"He still finished the race off strongly but he's not a topliner. He gets his chance tomorrow.

"Court Ruler has been disappointing over here this year. He started off sensationally back home but he hasn't measured up here yet.

"He's better than his form suggests and I'm hoping he can do a lot better this time."