Times change but old mates will continue to rekindle a partnership at Moonee Valley.

Jockey Darren Gauci will ride for trainer John Hawkes for just the second time "in six or seven years" when Hostwin Pegasus runs in the Friends Of Epworth Handicap (1200m) on Saturday.

"I rode for him last Sunday," Gauci said.

"We still talked and we're still mates but I just didn't have many rides from him but I'm always happy to ride for John."

Gauci was the Melbourne jockey for Hawkes during the trainer's time in charge of the Ingham family's Woodlands Stud racing operation.

Gauci won the Caulfield Guineas aboard the champion Lonhro in 2001 while Shame, Yell and Crawl also provided the partnership with Group One success.

They split in 2005 when Gauci became a freelance rider.

Hawkes and his sons Michael and Wayne resigned from Crown Lodge in 2007 while the Inghams sold out to Darley owner Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum a year later.

The Hawkes family has established a thriving two-state operation while Gauci plies his trade mostly on the provincial circuit.

Hostwin Pegasus ran second to smart colt Law on debut in Sydney before running sixth to Bring Me The Maid in Listed grade at Flemington last time out.

Gauci says the Choisir colt's form is good enough to give him a satisfying win for his old boss and his first city victory this season.

"He has got decent form and he has a chance," Gauci said.

"It would mean a lot to win on him for John because we were together for about 12 years."

Hostwin Pegasus is an $8.50 chance in first markets with the Peter Moody-trained House Of Hingis the $4.40 favourite.