By BARRY STREET
Cambridge trainer Sheila Laxon was yesterday awaiting an international call that could have a big bearing on two of her chances in the three $100,000 races at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Laxon has ace 3-year-old filly Sarwatch fully fit again for the Cambridge Stud Sir Tristram Fillies Classic, a group two 2000m, and wants former New Zealand jockey Grant Cooksley to fly from Hong Kong to ride her.
Cooksley, who won the $50,000 Glenmorgan Royal Stakes on Sarwatch at Ellerslie on January 3, has agreed to make the long trip provided he can get back to Hong Kong immediately after the Waikato races to ride in Macau on Sunday.
If suitable flight arrangements can be made Cooksley could also team with the in-form Laxon-trained mare Cheerful in the group one Whakanui Stud International Stakes.
Cooksley had an extraordinary mixture of good and bad luck when home for Christmas and New Year, being a certainty beaten on Sarwatch in the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie on Boxing Day before winning the Royal Stakes as well as the Blue Star Auckland Cup on Able Master.
He also made a special trip to Trentham on January 22 to be on Sarwatch in the New Zealand Oaks only to see the filly late scratched because of a bruised heel.
Cooksley still made January 22 a memorable day by winning the Wellington Cup Trial on the Laxon-trained Desert Rain.
He was also a fast-closing second to Skoozi on Cheerful in the Anniversary Handicap.
Sheila Laxon's husband, Laurie, home from his new stable in Singapore for the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, said yesterday that Sarwatch had made an excellent recovery from her Trentham mishap.
Sarwatch held a one-point lead in the New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year series before the Oaks and could reassert her authority on Saturday.
The Laxons hope to know by today whether Cooksley can be reunited with Sarwatch.
Meantime, another former star New Zealand jockey, Greg Childs, has had to turn down an offer to ride Aerosmith against the likes of Rebel, Integrate, Melora, Oregon Power, Surface and Cheerful in the International Stakes.
Childs has several important commitments in Melbourne on Saturday and Sunday.
His replacement will be champion apprentice Opie Bosson.
Racing: Cooksley may take up Laxon rides
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