Maluckyday will start in the Chelmsford Stakes

Trainer Michael Hawkes has confirmed Maluckyday as a definite starter in tomorrow’s Chelmsford Stakes saying now is the time to unleash his spring carnival raid.

The other option for the five year old was to head south to Melbourne and run in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Maluckyday was due to have his first up race two weeks ago but Sydney’s wet weather meant connections were forced to wait for a more suitable track.

It’ll be far from bone dry at Warwick Farm tomorrow but it’s good enough to get things underway.

Hawkes actually acknowledges that the race itself and the track are from ideal for him but they can’t afford to hold off any longer.

“We’ve decided that we might as well run him here because he’s still here…he’s done well we can’t complain,” he said.

“Been keeping an eye on the weather channel for the last week and we’ve decided to keep him here.”

Hawkes admits that the change in venue from Randwick to Warwick farm will also have an impact but logistically it’s just the sensible option.

“It did have a contributing factor, that and the weather, but more importantly the horse is here,” he said.

Maluckyday is one from one at Randwick and his only Warwick Farm start was a fourth in the Chipping Norton Stakes.

His first up record is good though and Hawkes is expecting him to be thereabouts come the finish.

“He always runs good fresh but obviously with a bad barrier 12 didn’t really help our chances,” he said.

“Horse is well, as good as we’ve got him heading into a campaign…I can’t fault him really.”

Maluckyday will follow a different path to what he did in the spring of 2010 however the ultimate goal remains unchanged.

“Melbourne Cup’s his goal, but how we get there is like a snake in grass,” Hawkes said.

“More than likely we’ll be heading to Melbourne after Saturday.”

There will no doubt be a few concerns in the Hawkes camp ahead of tomorrow’s run given that in the autumn this year he failed to run a place in three starts.

“He’s had  a good couple of months off after the autumn…he’s going pretty good,” he said.

Hawkes also revealed the pressure of training a horse that came so close to winning the Melbourne Cup last year.

“It’s never easy, everyone says you’re going to win the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“Twelve months is a long time..it’s one that’s eluded us for a long time but with this bloke hopefully we can go forward.”