Clark hopeful for third Rowley Mile win on Punch Lane

Jockey Tim Clark will be out to make it a third Listed Pioneer Services Rowley Mile (1600m) in recent years when partnering the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Punch Lane in Thursday’s $200,000 feature.

Clark won the event on Gaulois in 2019 and Arbeitsam in 2017, and has high hopes that Punch Lane can repeat the dose.

“It profiles as a nice race for him,” said Clark, who has been aboard Punch Lane in trackwork.

“He likes getting his toe in the ground so the prospect of a rain-affected track is in his favour.

“The mile suits and from the wide draw there’s a good straight run to try and get a spot.”

Punch Lane was a last-start fourth in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill behind Midnight Dynamite, which Clark will ride in Saturday’s Group 1 Winx Stakes at Randwick.

“He held on pretty well and he’s had a trial since so he’s ready to go.”

Clark will combine with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-prepared Tempestuous when it resumes from a lengthy spell in the Peter Smith Memorial Super Maiden Plate (1100m).

“He was off the scene for a long time after showing ability as a two-year-old,” said Clark.

“He’s had three recent trials in preparation for his return and has been a bit hit-and-miss at the start, so I’m hoping he can put it all together at Hawkesbury.”

The mount on the Gerald Ryan- and Sterling Alexiou-trained Esquire awaits Clark in the Happy Retirement Adam Carney Maiden Plate (1300m).

“He ran well on debut when finishing second to Steel Will,” Clark said.

“Steel Will made the form look good when winning at Rosehill last Saturday.”

Clark has two other rides at Hawkesbury with both being for trainer Sara Ryan.