Catch-me-if-you-can tactics pay off as Estijaab joins greats
The last words from Hall of Fame trainer John Hawkes to Brenton Avdulla were to emulate the feats of Todman, Vain and Manikato in leading a Golden Slipper from go to whoa as a flying Estijaab channelled some of Australia's sprinting greats in the $3.5 million scamper.
The father-and-sons Hawkes Racing team combined with Emirates Park to win their second Golden Slipper in the past five years as Estijaab gripped on to win the world's richest two-year-old race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The task of leading a frenetic Golden Slipper from start to finish has been reserved for some of the greats of the Australian turf, but Estijaab repelled the challenge of Tony McEvoy pair Oohood and Magic Millions winner Sunlight to write a rare chapter in the Golden Slipper annals.