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By John Curtis

Marc Chevalier has put a Grafton Cup experience behind him and is looking to bounce back at home on Sunday.

The Hawkesbury trainer has recommended to Torrens’ Singapore owner that the horse be retired following his last (after leading for the first half of the race) in yesterday’s $200,000 Listed-Grafton Cup (2350m), but thoroughly enjoyed his first visit to the annual July carnival.

“I was so well looked after by Clarence River Jockey Club's chief executive Michael Beattie, who arranged a stable for Torrens with local trainer Terry Comerford,” Chevalier said this morning after getting only a few hours’ sleep following an overnight drive home.

Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier - has three runners at Hawkesbury. Image by Bradley Photographers

“It’s a great place and great carnival, and I would definitely like to go back there again with the right horse.

“Torrens had all the ideal conditions yesterday, especially a good track, but it’s clear he doesn’t want to race anymore.

“I spoke with his owner after the Cup and recommended the horse be retired, so it’s up to him now as to what happens next.

"He has always been keen to stand him at stud. Torrens will have a special place in the history of our stable.

"He put me on the map by winning my first stakes race in the [Listed] Christmas Cup (2400m) at Royal Randwick in December 2022.”

It’s back to business at home on Sunday; Chevalier’s home track being the most successful venue with four of his 16 career winners to date.

He will have three representatives: Dubai Empress ($8 on TAB) in the HPM Legrand-Burndy Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m), and Morpheus Bragi ($6) and Black Alexandra ($21) in the Clevertronics Benchmark 64 Handicap (1100m) – and regards the former as his best chance.

“Dubai Empress is resuming, and I’m looking forward to getting her on a better surface,” he said. “She doesn’t like heavy ground, and that’s why her two recent trials have been average.

“But her trackwork has been really good, and she won her Maiden at home last December on a good track over Sunday’s distance.”

Alysha Collett, who gave fellow Hawkesbury trainer Terry Croft his second success in the Big Maiden at Grafton by scoring on Hot Jive, rides three-year-old filly Dubai Empress, who has raced only four times.

Chevalier has taken advantage of Hawkesbury apprentice Zac Wadick’s 2kg claim to lessen topweight Morpheus Bragi’s 61.5kg, and Torrens’ rider Louis Beuzelin partners Black Alexandra.

Croft meanwhile is eyeing another country mission with Just A Brother ($17), one of his Hawkesbury runners on Sunday.

He has also taken advantage of another apprentice William Stanley’s 3kg claim to offset Just A Brother’s 61kg topweight in Dubai Empress’ race.

Croft has won two country Cups – Forbes and Parkes – with Just A Brother this season, and is getting him ready to defend his “title” in the $50,000 Big Dance Eligibility Forbes Cup (1600m) on August 4.

Sydney’s champion apprentice Zac Lloyd has added another couple of premierships to his growing resume without needing to ride a winner at Hawkesbury’s final meeting of the season.

With 14.5 wins, he has both the senior and junior riding premierships in his keeping, emulating Tyler Schiller who won both last season.

Both Schiller and Kerrin McEvoy, Lloyd’s closest rivals with 14 wins apiece, and Jason Collett (12 wins), are not riding at Hawkesbury.

Trainer Edward Cummings has chosen the Midway Benchmark 64 (1300m) for dual acceptor Hard Pick (Winona Costin-$16), and has withdrawn him from the longer World Wire Cables-APS Benchmark 64 Handicap (1500m).

The rail is 2m out from the 1100m to 450m, and in the TRUE position for the remainder of the circuit, and a Soft 5 rating was posted on Friday morning.

Gates will open at 11am (first race is 11.50am) for Family Fun Day, with a host of free activities for kids from 12 midday, including face painting, balloon artists, jumping castle and a Fashions on the Field competition for three to 12-year-olds.

Pony rides also will be available for all aspiring young jockeys.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Hawkesbury here