Cox Plate could be on the agenda as Hawwaam heads overseas

Here is an intriguing question about Mike de Kock’s star performer Hawwaam: could he fly the flag for SA in one of Australia’s biggest races — the Cox Plate — in Melbourne in October 2021?

The son of Silvano was super-impressive when winning Saturday’s WSB Champions Challenge at Turffontein by more than three lengths, and De Kock confirmed it was his final appearance in this country.

It is a blow for racing fans who had him earmarked as the likely winner of the Vodacom Durban July on July 25, but comments on De Kock’s website hint that Australia, where his son Mathew is setting up shop, is the most likely destination.

What better way to kick off your career than have a runner in one of Australia’s most important races. The 2021 Cox Plate is scheduled for Moonee Valley in Melbourne in 16 months.


First run in 1922, the 2,040m Cox Plate has been won by top-class thoroughbreds in recent years. Adelaide won for Aidan O’Brien in 2014 before Winx’s four-year reign from 2015-18. The 2019 victor was the Japanese raider Lys Gracieux.

On his website, De Kock says: “I know what it takes to win abroad and Hawwaam is more than good enough to win a grade 1 race in Australia. I’d like to see him race in Australia. But look what we have to go through to get him there.”


De Kock was referring to the EU not going to greater lengths to get the SA export protocols audit performed, even in Covid-19 time.

He added: “As things stand, he will be going into quarantine soon. He will have to spend three weeks at Kenilworth and a further 90 days in Mauritius before he can travel on to the UK where a further 180-day residency will be required should we choose to travel to Australia.”

Sounds like a good option rather than the UK.

If my memory serves me correctly, MDK sent Greys Inn to Aus, can’t remember if Cox, could have been Melbourne Cup?
I backed it ew at big price and it ran a great race.
Again no google but might have been beaten by the great Makybe Diva.

Mike would obviously know but Hawwaam is probably better than Greys Inn, so IMO a great realistic option.

All the best

01Nov05 Flemington HcG1 1265K 2m GS 8-13 17/24 btn 17L Makybe Diva 9-2 80/1 W C Marwing
22Oct05 Moonee Valley G1 745K 1m2f Sl 9-2 10/14 btn 8L Makybe Diva 8-11 25/1 W C Marwing
08Oct05 Caulfield G1 99K 1m2f GS 9-2 4/9 btn 2¾L El Segundo 9-0 — W C Marwing

Thank you, this was race I remember

Ok my memory was watching the Famous silks at the 400 mt mark coming into contention, but was short lived .

Remember the race...disappointing ride of a very good horse...first time 3200m and kept 3 and 4 wide for at least the first 2000m and then tried to make up ground even wider out...horse had nothing left...