25 May 2024Progressive four-year-old Hard To Cross took another winning step on the Hillside track at Sandown with a commanding display over 1600 metres.
The son of Epaulette had been successful at his previous start and was untroubled to make it two on the bounce for trainer Patrick Payne.
Our homebred was caught wide early before in-form apprentice Jaylah Kennedy was able to slot in one off the fence in fourth spot and proved superior in the run home.
“He was presented in terrific order and with the 52.5kg he was dominant,” Kennedy said.
“I had the horse under me to put in a good position and I hit the front early, but he travelled so strongly from the 500.
“If anything had come at him, he would have pinned his ears back again.”
The winner of five of his 19 starts with five placings, Hard To Cross was offered on our behalf by Maluka Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale where he was knocked down to Malua Bloodstock for A$140,000.
He is a son of the Commands mare Egyptian Cross, a half-sister to dual Group 3 winner Egyptian Symbol, and out of the G1 Railway Handicap winner Egyptian Ra.
Hard To Cross is a half-brother to the Pierata colt Red Sea, who has carried our colours to victory this season and finished runner-up in the G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, and Egyptian Cross has since foaled two sons of Almanzor.