Lingfield stage a valuable seven race card on Saturday. Pic: Courtesy ARC/Lingfield

By Simon Jackson

Trainer Jim Goldie is hoping for better luck with the talented Hawkeyethenoo at Lingfield on Saturday after a series of near misses at his last three starts at the Surrey track.

Goldie has continued to stick to the same tactics with the 2012 Steward’s Cup winner who has amassed earnings of £355,000 and tends to be at his best when held up in the early stages and produced with a late run.

The eight-year-old has finished in the first four in each of his past three runs at Lingfield and Goldie is hoping to improve on those runs in the Listed Compare Bookmakers At bookmakers.co.uk Cleves Stakes, a fast track qualifier for the All-Weather Championships.

“Hawkeyethenoo has been fine since his run at Lingfield last time, but doesn’t seem to get any luck around there,” Goldie admitted. “We will keep practising and there is certain day in April [All-Weather Championships Finals] that we are working towards. 

“He has never been out of the prize money at Lingfield and it’s all experience for him. 

“He is in very good order though and hopefully he will have better luck next Saturday. He is the second fastest horse over six furlongs at Lingfield and has run in all three races where they have gone under the track record, which must be unique. 

“He has been doing that without having luck in running, so, if he does get the gaps, he will probably be the one they all have to beat. 

“People will say we should ride him closer, but that’s his style of running and it’s the same for everyone else. It’s a tactical fascination because if you go quick in front you just have to hope you will hang on, but if you drop out you have to hope you will get a clear run.” 

The six furlong contest is one of two fast-track qualifiers at Lingfield Park on Saturday’s seven race card, with the other being the £37,000 Listed coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial over 10 furlongs. 

A high-quality card also features the £45,000 Ladbrokes Handicap over seven furlongs and the £17,500 bookmakers.co.uk Sprint Series Final Handicap over six furlongs. 

The first race on Saturday is scheduled for 1.45pm

Read Horse Talk with Simon Jackson each day at London24 for the latest horse racing news.