Stylish Debut Win for Cravings

30th May 2007

Eye-catching grey colt Cravings (2c Encosta de Lago - Lovely Jubly, by Lion Hunter) made an impressive debut at Canterbury on Wednesday when he overcame a tardy start to post a convincing length and three-quarter win in the 1200 metre event for restricted juveniles.

A superbly bred colt by Encosta de Lago from dual Group One winner Lovely Jubly, Cravings was sent out hot favourite and showed a real turn of foot when angled into the clear after being firmly pocketed on the fence for much of the straight.

“It’s only early days and one win does not make a good horse, but he did some things today that the boss will take a lot of pleasure in. He raced tight and showed good acceleration, there was a lot to like about his effort,” said Peter Snowden, stable foreman for John Hawkes.

Cravings was produced at the early season two year-old trials last September running third to Maxisun and Murtajill, but has been handled patiently since then.

“He’s always had the ability, but was very immature and went shinsore a few times so was given plenty of time and now he’s furnished into a lovely relaxed horse,” added Snowden.

Bred and retained to race by the Throsby family, Cravings is very similar in appearance to his dam Lovely Jubly, a compact muscular grey daughter of ill-fated sire Lion Hunter.

She won seven races and $1.4 million with career highlights including the Group One QTC Sires’ Produce Stakes, QTC T.J. Smith Classic and Magic Millions Two Year Old Classic, plus running a gallant second to Bollinger in the Group STC Coolmore Classic.

Cravings is the result of her first season at stud when she visited Encosta de Lago, who was part-owned by Joe Throsby and raced in the red and green hoop colours carried to victory by Cravings at Canterbury.

Lovely Jubly is now in foal to Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus.