Premier Melbourne trainer Peter Moody is aiming for his first Adelaide Cup if Hanks can get the prize at Morhpettville on Monday.
One time Derby hope, Hanks has been in super form with wins from his last two starts at Moonee Valley.
The Encosta De Lago five year old will have no trouble running out the 3200m of the Group 2 $400,000 Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup going on his win in the Hafele Australia Handicap over 3000m two starts.
He then made it back to back Moonee Valley wins in the Listed Sportingbet Night Cup (2500m) on February 24 beating Rowland and Montgomery.
Moody looked to have last year’s Cup wrapped up when Macedonian hit the front at 150m only to be run down to finish in third spot less than a length form outsider Muir.
“He hit the front in the last 150m but got pegged back,” Moody said. “I’ve had a few runners in other years but a win is proving illusive.”
Moody described Hanks as similar to Macedonian and hopes he can stay that little bit better on the big Morphettville track.
“He’s not that dissimilar to Macedonian but hopefully he can stay on that bit longer,” Moody said. “He’s a big horse so Morphettville should be ideal and he should handle the trip.”
Top jockey Damien Oliver has the job ahead after Drunken Sailor draw the outside of the twenty horse field and has to carry the top weight of 59.5kg.
Oliver rode an inspired race on the Mike Moroney trained seven year old to push up on the fence to take out the Listed $125,000 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) under 60kg.
