Hawwaam will miss Green Point Stakes

MIKE de Kock has withdrawn favourite Hawwaam from Saturday’s Gr2 Green Point Stakes. The son of Silvano was scratched at 12h39 on Tuesday with Stipes permission and on the basis of ‘interrupted work’.

He told the Sporting Post that the decision to scratch the superstar Silvano colt from Saturday’s race was taken as a precautionary measure and in the best interests of the top horse – and the racing public.

“He was supposed to run at Turffontein last Thursday. We cut back on his work and then the rains came. He is extremely fresh and given his temperament, I have to consider all the best options. I don’t believe it is best that he runs on Saturday.”

The champion trainer confirmed that Hawwaam will travel to the Cape on Wednesday and it is planned that he will run in the Gr2 Premier Trophy (1800m) which is contested at weight-forage plus penalties on 21 December.

“Look it’s not ideal, but it’s the prudent best course of action right now and on the positive side, this way it also gives us a chance to give him a breeze on the lefthanded Kenilworth track in advance of race day. And we are all on track for the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate,” he confirmed. – Sporting Post.