Racing: Hawkes family chase sixth BMW win

Father and son duo John (right) and Wayne Hawkes. Photo / Janna Dixon

The Hawkes family have been involved in some of the great moments in the history of the Group One BMW at Rosehill and can add another chapter today if Maluckyday transforms favouritism into victory in the A$2.25 million feature.

John Hawkes holds the record for most wins as a trainer in the BMW with five, including the 2009 edition training in partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne.

Octagonal provided Hawkes with his first success in the 2400m weight-for-age feature in 1996, part of an unforgettable autumn campaign which also netted the three-year-old triple crown of the Canterbury and Rosehill Guineas and AJC Australian Derby.

A year later Octagonal prevailed again when he arrived just in time to defeat Arkady in a deceptive photo-finish.

In 2001 Hawkes got the $101 shot Curata Storm to claim the staying feature in a major upset, and two years later Freemason outlasted "fighting tiger" Northerly after a thrilling duel all the way up the straight.

Fiumicino became the first Group One winner for Hawkes Racing when he raced to victory with Darren Beadman aboard in 2009.

Maluckyday, owned by Nick Moraitis, will carry the same colours as Fiumicino in today's BMW and on the eve of this year's race Wayne Hawkes said Maluckyday was on target to claim his first Group One success.

"Everything is good with him," Hawkes said. "We just need no bad luck, we don't need any good luck but just don't need any bad luck, and he'll do the rest."

Maluckyday finished fourth as favourite in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) two weeks ago when $101 chance Zavite fought off Caulfield Cup winner Descarado.

Hawkes said Maluckyday would be in the paddock on Monday with the Melbourne Cup the main mission.

- AAP