Trainer Allison Bennett will have another crack at the Group Three Standish Handicap on New Year's Day with King Hoaks after he broke through for his first win since winning the 2009 Standish.The King Charlemagne seven-year-old was having only his 10th start since winning the Standish (1200m) nearly two years ago in Saturday's Johnstaff Projects Hcp (1200m) at Flemington.But the Moe based Bennett explained the horse had cracked a cannon bone during the spring of 2009 after just one run that prep
Trainer Allison Bennett will have another crack at the Group Three Standish Handicap on New Year's Day with King Hoaks after he broke through for his first win since winning the 2009 Standish.
The King Charlemagne seven-year-old was having only his 10th start since winning the Standish (1200m) nearly two years ago in Saturday's Johnstaff Projects Hcp (1200m) at Flemington.
But the Moe based Bennett explained the horse had cracked a cannon bone during the spring of 2009 after just one run that preparation and required three pins to be inserted.
"He's a roly poly type and it took a long time to get him back," Bennett said.
Having his sixth run in after an 11-month lay-off, King Hoaks, backed from $16 to start at $12, burst through a gap for Chris Symons after he was shunted sideways when trying to work his way through the crowded field.
The gelding raced away to score by three-quarters of a length from Gold In Dubai ($4.80).
Offenders, backed from $4.40 to start $3.70 favourite, was tardy away but finished strongly to be a half-neck away third.
"He's a really good straight horse who needs a dry track and to be ridden off the pace," Bennett said.
"We'll head to the Standish again with him now," Bennett said.
Meanwhile Aloha will attempt a hat-trick of wins in the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day providing the track stays dry, trainer Mick Price said after the mare scored a very easy win in the Aktrapid Nursing Agency Hcp (1730m).
The four-year-old daughter of Encosta de Lago excels on firm ground and made it four wins from her six starts in Melbourne this campaign.
"She really deserves to be a black type winner. It's just a matter of right time right place but if the track stays dry I'd say the Lord Stakes would be a beautiful race for her," Price said.
"She's physically improved since her three-year-old year and she's a magnificent (potential) broodmare, very sound and still lightly raced and hopefully she's got a couple more years (of racing) and she continues to improve her record.
"She's had a few runs this preparation and if she was to win the Lord Stakes, then I'd give her a break and you'd have a lot of options in the autumn."
Price said although Aloha was beaten just 1-1/2 lengths when fourth behind Small Minds in the Group One Australasian Oaks (2006m) at Morphettville last March he preferred to keep her to around 1600 metres.
Ridden by Craig Newitt replacing the injured Glen Boss, Aloha ($2.05 fav) settled fourth but cruised to the lead early in the straight and scored by 3-3/4 lengths from Lakedro ($9) with Sadalbari ($5.50) a long-head away third.