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After the group 1 successes of Contributer and Hartnell in recent weeks, Godolphin will look to Hauraki to become the stable's first Australian-bred top-level winner in the Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday.
It was a target that seemed unlikely a couple of runs into his preparation in Melbourne, where he struggled with the reverse way of going, but his second in the Phar Lap Stakes followed by a win in the Tulloch Stakes now has Hauraki back on track.
He is challenging for favouritism in the Australian Derby, in which he has been confidently supported, standing as equal favourite at $3.50 alongside Preferment at the TAB after Tuesday's barrier draw.
"He has always shown us he was a very good horse and the Derby was the long-term goal," trainer John O'Shea said. "He was going very well before we sent him to Melbourne, but obviously he just doesn't go that way of going.
"We had to get him back here and get him back on track. He has done that and we have a horse going in the right direction at the right time. And I have no doubt about him running out the trip."
When Hauraki returned to Sydney, a tongue tie was added to his gear and he showed a good turn of foot to quickly put the Tulloch Stakes away last weekend.
He will attempt to join horses such as Starcraft, Mahogany and Durbridge in completing the Tulloch-Derby double and there is a bit of confidence around the Godolphin galloper.
"A couple of our ratings men have him going forward and you would think he has the ones he beat last Saturday covered," O'Shea said. "The other main chances have been to the Derby trip before and they have that advantage on him. But I'm pretty happy where we are with him."
Hauraki was made a $6 chance in the Derby after his Tulloch Stakes win but the money has continue to come for him for the past few days.
"He brings a different form line and it is obvious from what he did on Saturday he is better than those he beat. It was probably the most convincing win of the day," TAB's Glenn Munsie said.
"The Rosehill Guineas gave us an order for Preferment, Volkstok'n'barrell and Mongolian Khan. Preferment showed what a good stayer he is in the Victoria Derby and deserves to be favourite out of that trio.
"The two Kiwis fought out the New Zealand Derby finish with Mongolian Khan winning it, outstaying the other bloke, but if you look at history, their second run in Sydney coming from over there can be a step too far for many of them."
The Derby has a field of only 10 runners, with Hauraki and Preferment drawing the outside two gates. Rosehill Guineas winner Volkstok'n'barrell got barrier five and the New Zealand Derby winner Mongolian Khan drew the rails.
