John Hawkes and Alan Bell have known each other for 30 years but only now are they teaming up on the track – and their record is perfect.
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The champion trainer, who is in partnership with sons Michael and Wayne, and the owner with a great eye for a good horse have combined with boom four-year-old Deep Field and three-year-old filly Maastricht, which chases black type in Saturday's Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington, for five wins.
"There is only one way we can go from here," Bell said. "It took me long enough to get him as a trainer, so we deserve some success.
"John is very kind on his horses and lets them find their level. We have a couple of horses that we can dream with at the moment and at this time of year that's a good thing."
Deep Field has grabbed the spotlight, winning his three starts by 20 lengths in total and breaking a course record last time.
For Hawkes they are just another two in his stable.
"It is good have someone like Alan giving you horses because his record tells you he knows what he is looking for," Hawkes said. "He gets his share of good ones but that comes with slow ones as well, but these two are all right.
"Deep Field has done a good job but he is still learning and will only have one or two more, because his best will come in 12 months' time.
"The filly has won well a couple of times but it is a big step up on Saturday. Our record might be in danger."
Bell's colours have been carried by Schillaci, Grand Armee, Magic Of Money, Primacy and Dupain but, as he says, "it is still exciting to have nice horses".
He picked both Deep Field and Maastricht from the first crops of their sires Northern Meteor and Mastercraftman. He wanted the best and might have found them on both occasions.
"I went out looking for the best-looking Northern Meteor and got him at Easter for $440,000 and it has take a little time but it looks like he will get that back," Bell said.
"The filly cost me $220,000 'kiwi' in New Zealand, I looked at every one of his I could and she stood out.
"The form around her has stood but the breed gets better as the races get longer, you just have to look at Europe where Mastercraftman has won a French Derby with The Grey Gatsby and the English St Leger with Kingston Hill this year.
"So I think she will get better the further they go, but we will have to wait and see how that develops this spring," Bell said.
