The Hawkes family have never given up on All Too Hard, even if the punters had; it was a matter of whether he had brought his A game to Melbourne where he has an unblemished record.

It’s possible he may have left it here when he first went to Sydney, he was certainly on top of his game in winning the Caulfield Guineas in great style, beating the odds on favourite, Pierro, with Epaulette in third place.

The only other runner quoted under double figures, except the favourite, was Ashokan, he led for much of the race but was found wanting in the straight.

All Too Hard defeating Pierro in the Guineas

 Pierro missed the start slightly; instead of being taken quietly he was rushed around the outside as if there was a prize to see who got to the hill first.

He was fully wound up, there was no place to go, it was obvious now he was going to be the sitting duck for anything running on, in this case, All Too Hard, there was little resistance to the challenge.

Nash Rawiller appeared uncomfortable and embarrassed when interviewed by the media, he could not offer any excuses for the favourite’s defeat and was keen to go back into the confines of the jockey’s room.

If Pierro has even a remote chance of winning the Cox Plate he will need to be ridden more quietly.  

Dwayne Dunn flanked by Wayne and John Hawkes