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Owner Sean Buckley could not quite snare the biggest mile race of the Sydney spring, but as Melbourne's premier 1600-metre event looms trainer John Thompson has assured him Hooked has never been going better.
Buckley agreed to fork out $600,000 for Hooked in Patinack Farm's Magic Millions dispersal sale last month. He can get a return on his investment if the entire can win the Emirates Stakes at Flemington.
While more than a few eyebrows were raised when Hooked fetched that price in the sales ring, Thompson is adamant it was money well spent. The four-year-old's victory in the group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley last start has certainly helped his case.
"All I said to him before he bought him was, 'he is going better than what he was last prep when he ran in the Derby and ran well'," Thompson said.
"He backed my judgment when he bought him and left him with me. He hasn't paid him off yet, but at least he showed he was worth what he paid.
"He is going well and is a top chance in a group 1. He ran well in the Epsom, and from a good gate this time hopefully we can go a couple of places better."
Hooked had a torrid run in the Epsom run. He travelled three wide without cover on a hot speed throughout and was about to be rewarded with a seemingly well-deserved group 1 victory, then Chris Waller's He's Your Man and Royal Descent edged away to fight out the finish.
Thompson gambled on heading south to prolong Hooked's spring campaign, which appeared to backfire when an early morning run around the Valley suggested he would wobble around the tight-turning track in the Crystal Mile.
"We took him there on the Tuesday and he was just pathetic," Thompson said. "I honestly thought he was going to run last on the way he worked, but you could tell he was in good shape.
"He was still looking good and working well at Flemington, but he just got lost around [Moonee Valley]. He came out on race day and was too good for them. And he's probably got the best form going into the race [Emirates Stakes]."
The Crystal Mile beaten brigade – including Bull Point and Desert Jeuney – have pressed on towards the Emirates, but a host of other different form lines will converge on the race.
Tasmanian cult hero The Cleaner will return to the mile after setting a frenetic tempo in the Cox Plate, Godolphin's Contributer brings winning form into the race after an impressive Australian debut in the Coongy and Hucklebuck is on the quick back-up after his Derby day success.
The Cleaner's inclusion, at the very least, will provide Hooked's rider, Craig Williams, a chance to tag a frenetic speed, as he did in the Crystal Mile, which was won in nearly track record time.
"It is going to be set up with The Cleaner running along, and whether ... he sets it up late for the backmarkers to swoop at Flemington, I'm not sure," Thompson said. "Our horse is at the top of his game ... He seems to be going into this run as good as his last.
"At Flemington he's been working well and he's nice and fit. He probably doesn't have to do a great deal and we just have to keep him ticking over.
"He looks fantastic and we've been taking him down to the beach to keep him happy. He's bright, he looks fantastic in the coat, his blood count is good and everything is going well."
