<\/p>\n
A decision on whether three-year-old Nepotism contests the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday week is likely to be made imminently, according to the colt\u2019s co-trainer Wayne Hawkes.<\/p>\n
Speaking on\u00a0SEN Track\u2019s Giddy Up\u00a0program on Monday, Hawkes said the stable is mulling four options, following Nepotism\u2019s seventh-placed finish in the Guineas.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we run in the Cox Plate, do we run in the AAMI Vase, do we go to the Spring Champion or do we go to the paddock? Every one of those, in theory, is alive,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the end of the day, you\u2019ve got to make the right decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not an easy decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkes explained that Nepotism left a bit of feed after the race, but has recovered well.<\/p>\n
\u201cStraight away, you look and see how the horse pulls up, then the next morning, Sunday morning, you see how bright they are, how much (food) they left. He left a double handful of feed Saturday night. Then, you see how he is this morning (Monday), he licked the bottom of the (feed) bin this morning, which is always a good sign. Now, that you\u2019ve ticked those boxes\u2026 if he had left four or five dippers (of feed), well, there\u2019s your answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
A winner of the G1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick in April, Nepotism was sent off as an $18 chance in the Guineas. He settled third-last on the fence under Blake Shinn before running on to finish 4.3 lengths behind the winner Autumn Boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe ran the fastest (final) 800 (metres), the fastest 600 and the fastest 400 of the race and he\u2019s still trying to get out,\u201d Hawkes explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know everyone will say Observer was the (unlucky) one, but he (Nepotism) was the best horse in the race and he just had no luck.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Cox Plate is likely to boast a small field, with Aeliana no certainty to contest the race, while Treasurethe Moment is also in some doubt after she had her colours lowered in the G1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on Guineas Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look at the Cox Plate and there\u2019s only one horse and he really may be the X-factor and that\u2019s Sir Delius. He could win the Cox Plate and he could win the Melbourne Cup. He could do a Saintly. He\u2019s not as good as Saintly, because very few are, but you don\u2019t have to be as good as Saintly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hawkes believes defending Cox Plate champion Via Sistina isn\u2019t as dominant as she once was and pondered whether her glittering career may be coming to an end.<\/p>\n
WATCH: Nepotism’s runner in the Caulfield Guineas<\/p>\n
\n
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