Happy Galaxy does the job

Classy sprinter Happy Galaxy became the 10th three-year-old to defeat the older horses in the Group II Expressway Stakes (1200m) when claiming the weight-for-age feature at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

The victory gave co-trainer John Hawkes his third success in the Expressway with a three-year-old while it was his sons Michael and Wayne's first win in the $200,000 event.

Happy Galaxy was expected to lead the event but that didn't eventuate with Hurrara taking up the running with Jay Ford content to sit at the hindquarters of the leader aboard Happy Galaxy.

"We worked it out before the race and said if Hurrara wants to go let it go," Michael Hawkes said. "We didn't want to make it into a speed battle.

"I said to Jay so long as you get around the corner with a lap full of horse you're half way home and you'll nearly win."

Approaching the home turn, Ford allowed Happy Galaxy to bridge the gap before piling on the pressure at the top of the straight and striding clear to record a strong win.

Happy Galaxy ($4.20 fav) defeated Skytrain ($7.50), who found the line strongly, by a half-length with Centennial Park ($7.50) a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

"He's come a long way in a short space in time," Michael Hawkes said. "He just keeps continuing to win and that's all that matters.

"We'll see how he pulls up. He's had five runs in and he's come a long way in a short space in time so he might head to the paddock but we'll just wait and see."

Story: Clinton Payne RaceNet

Photo: sportpix.com.au