2012 Caulfield Guineas - All Too Hard can 'blow them away'

Hawkes Racing co-trainer Wayne Hawkes says All Too Hard's hopes in Saturday's Group I Caulfield Guineas could improve with a gear change that has proved fruitful for his famous half-sister Black Caviar.

At Caulfield on Saturday All Too Hard will be loaded into the barriers with a barrier blanket on for the first time. The son of Casino Prince had a practice run with the new addition in a Flemington jump-out last Friday.

"He flew out like he did at Warwick Farm in the trial before the George Main," Hawkes said. "Who'd know if he will jump that well again on Saturday but the blanket won't be detrimental so we're hoping."

Hawkes said All Too Hard is "great, he looks perfect" and has settled straight back into the Flemington surrounds since being transferred from the Rosehill stables following his fourth placing in the Group I George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 29.

"He's been quiet and relaxed. You wouldn't know he's here," he said. "He's a serious horse. He shows us that every time he gallops."

Hawkes said if Pierro is to be beaten on Saturday, All Too Hard is the horse. In two clashes against the undefeated superstar, All Too Hard has finished no further than 2-3/4 lengths behind the raging Caulfield Guineas hot-pot.

"He's been doing things wrong and getting beat two lengths by Pierro, not 22," he said. "The difference between the two of them is he [Pierro] does everything right. "Pierro jumps, puts himself into a spot and wants to win.

"Our bloke's been making mistakes and you can't when you're racing at the top level.

"If All Too Hard puts it all together, he'll blow them away."

On Saturday, All Too Hard will jump from barrier three with Dwayne Dunn in the saddle. Corporate bookie Betstar has All Too Hard as an $11 chance in the $1 million feature while he's a $3.80 second pick in the "Pierro out" market.

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet