Ole Kirk Tops Hawkes Duo in Golden Rose

The Caulfield Guineas (G1) rather than The Everest looks the likely next stop for Ole Kirk after the 3-year-old colt secured his future at stud with a tremendous victory in the De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (G1) at Rosehill Sept. 26, leading home a quinella for the Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes training partnership.

By Written Tycoon out of Naturale (by Bel Esprit), a full sister to legendary mare Black Caviar, Ole Kirk already had one of the most desirable pedigree pages in the Australian Stud Book and had put together a handy résumé in just six starts. That included a win in the Talindert Stakes and placings in the MSS Security Sires' Produce Stakes (G2), the Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (G1), and the De Bortoli Wins Run To The Rose (G2).

Ticking the group 1 box, though, elevates Ole Kirk to one of the hottest stallion prospects in the country, a profile that is only set to grow in the coming weeks as he heads towards the Caulfield Guineas.

Sent out the AU$7 second elect behind AU$1.55 hotpot Rothfire, the Tommy Berry-ridden Ole Kirk settled beyond midfield on the rail. Meanwhile, Rothfire—the shortest-priced favorite since the Peter Pan Stakes became the Golden Rose in 2003—was forced to battle the elements and his rivals in a bid to add a second group 1 to his record.

Rob Heathcote's Rothfire was fast to begin with Jim Byrne aboard but could not cross to the rail as Nash Rawiller on Mamaragan kicked up underneath him. That forced Byrne to work hard to get down to the rail, with the gelding recording a :10.66 sectional from the 1,200 meters to the 1,000 meters into a blustery headwind. 

While Byrne did his best to give Rothfire a breather down the side—with the rider himself saying that the Queenslander got "soft sectionals" in front—the over-racing Yardstick applied pressure as well, ensuring that it would take something special for the horse dubbed the 'Thrilla from Chinchilla' to prevail.

Rothfire had the temerity to kick clear upon straightening and for a few strides it appeared that he may be able to overcome all of the hurdles that had been placed in his way. Passing the 200 meters, though, it became clear that it was too big a mountain to climb as Rothfire and his stablemate North Pacific dashed on by from well back in the field.

North Pacific was pulled to the outside by James McDonald and had time to build momentum while Berry was forced to await a gap, momentarily held up passing the 300 meters before he was able to switch over the heels of Peltzer into clear running.

The pair came with their runs at the same time, with North Pacific looking to have the upper hand early in their titanic struggle. However, Ole Kirk kicked back under Berry and held North Pacific to the line, edging clear to record a head success.

Two-time group 1 winner King's Legacy recorded an eye-catching Guineas trial, flashing home into third, two lengths from the winner, with Rothfire fading into fourth, a further length and a quarter away.

"I could see North Pacific coming down the outside," Michael Hawkes said. "To his credit he was very gallant in defeat, to put in the effort from where he was to get back. Tommy just got held up and he had to wait for the right run. That probably proved the difference—just by being held up, he was able to sprint that little bit better. 

"They've streeted the rest. We've always had two really good colts and we've tried to separate them, but obviously this is the Grand Final, the group 1s, and you put them against each other. To run one-two, it's fantastic.

"I said to Neil Werrett before the first-up run, that the horse was going very good, as good as he's ever gone. He's from the All Too Hard, Black Caviar family—it just doesn't get any better. He is going to excel further. Look out Caulfield Guineas."

Berry, who brought up group 1 win No. 30 Saturday, added: "I didn't know it was James outside me on North Pacific but I thought I was beaten 80 meters out. But 'Ole' just pinned his ears back, he didn't want to lie down.

"He's had a great attitude all preparation, he's definitely a lot more mature than he was last season. The writing was on the wall last time, everyone forgot about him to a certain extent but we definitely didn't at home in the stable."

Rothfire was unsaddled and walked back to the enclosure riderless, with the vets reporting him to be lame in his off fore leg, graded three out of five. There was also concern about a shoulder and it appeared last night that he was in serious doubt to contest the AU$15 million The Everest, where he holds the miRunners slot.

"My main concern is for the health and the well-being of the horse," Heathcote told 7News. "We've got to find out what's wrong; fingers crossed that everything works out."

Racing in the green and yellow colors of Neil Werrett, who was also managing part owner of Black Caviar, Ole Kirk was bred by Rick Jamieson's Gilgai Farm, just like his close relation. And Werrett last night said he was awaiting calls from eager stud farms wanting the breeding rights for the Golden Rose winner.

"The breeding and the whole thing that has gone into this race. I can't believe we have won it," Werrett said. "As soon as I saw the page and I remembered Rick had told me about this sister to Black Caviar way back, and how unfortunate it was that she couldn't race; when it was coming up in Melbourne, I asked the Hawkeses if they had looked at it and they said it was on their list to buy. I said I want to buy it.

"I got Mark Player to buy for me because I didn't want people to think the Hawkeses were buying for me. I have put my sister, Colin Madden and Brett (Bradley) into her and Rick stayed in. That makes it more special.

"This family is very special and if someone wants to give us $50 million, they can stand him."

Purchased by Player's International Thoroughbred Solutions on Werrett's behalf for AU$675,000 (US$477,765) at last year's Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, the Gilgai Farm-consigned Ole Kirk has now earned AU$835,600 from just seven starts.

"He was so immature but that family keeps getting better and better," recalled Gilgai Farm manager Kelly Skillecorn. "He was an immature colt at the sales and I'm just so grateful he ended up with the Hawkes' who are so patient with these colts and there's none better in turning a yearling colt into a stallion and they've done it again.

"Just take a look at his page, there's none better in the studbook. Black Caviar, All Too Hard, Scandinavia, Magnus, now you can add Ole Kirk to that. Wow. The mare is back in foal to Written Tycoon too, which is a huge result now especially."

For Michael Hawkes, though, the Ole Kirk purchase in March last year—as well as North Pacific's acquisition from the same sale—is a reminder of the team effort that goes into his training partnership with father John and brother Wayne.

"Dad and Wayne saw the colts at the sale, I wasn't there," he said. "It's a team effort, I was home here with the horses and they did that particular sale, they were the top two lots and they've finished one-two here. 

"For us it's about trying to buy these athletes from day one—it's not about the price tag. I know price tag comes with it nine times out of 10 but we make colts, it's what we love doing, and we've just made another two. It's a great thrill. There's no fluke. They were always going to improve."

While the Caulfield Guineas does appear the most logical target with Ole Kirk, Werrett occupies an Everest slot along with Max Whitby. They are yet to choose their runner; if not Ole Kirk, then perhaps North Pacific will fill their slot for the world's richest race on turf, providing a fitting conclusion to a grand Golden Rose.

Russian Camelot to Cox Plate After Underwood Success

It was a 3-year-old ineligible for the Caulfield Guineas, though, that stole the spotlight at Caulfield Saturday as Russian Camelot brought up his second group 1 win in the Underwood Stakes (G1).

Russian Camelot, a 4-year-old for Australian purposes but actually still a Northern Hemisphere 3-year-old, is a clear-cut favorite for the Cox Plate (G1) and is also equal favorite for the Melbourne Cup (G1) after he defeated the older horses Saturday. And Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O'Brien did little to dampen the hype by declaring the seven-start veteran his best horse ever.

Ridden outside the leader by Damien Oliver in a departure from his regular hold-up tactics, Russian Camelot strode up towards the lead approaching the straight, coming wide which had proved the most effective ground during the day.

Arcadia Queen stuck to the inside and matched motors with the favorite for a short while, but soon it was a one-horse affair as Russian Camelot went two lengths clear.

At the line, the TAB South Australian Derby (G1) winner had a length and three-quarters in hand over old marvel Humidor, who closed in nearer the rail, with a further half-length to Arcadia Queen in third. 

"I think he's the best horse I've had anything to do with, particularly to do so much so early in his career," O'Brien said. "He's a magnificent colt and we're thrilled that he's got this done today and hopefully it's not the end of the spring for him.

"It's really exciting to see him produce performances like this so early in his career. There's been a lot of hype around him, people are expecting things like this so it's really exciting to see him go out there and get it done. From here, our plan is to go two weeks to the Caulfield Stakes and then two weeks to the Cox Plate."

The TAB last night wound Russian Camelot into AU$3.50 favorite for the centenary Cox Plate, the only entrant in single figures. 

Sir Dragonet, who will join the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace yard, is second favorite at AU$11, potentially giving Coolmore's stallion Camelot the top two contenders in the race widely considered Australia's weight-for-age championship. Camelot shuttled to Australia for one season in 2014.

For his part, Oliver—a two-time Cox Plate winner aboard Dane Ripper in 1997 and Northerly in 2001—believes the race could prove suitable for Russian Camelot.

"Yeah, he could well be a Cox Plate horse," he said. "It's a nice preparation for him. I like the fact that he's running fortnightly because he can be a bit fresh. Getting the racing into him now, he's got a good foundation. Danny's done a great job preparing him so I'm looking forward to the races ahead." 

Purchased for 120,000 guineas ($164,972) at the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling Sales Book 1 at Newmarket, Russian Camelot has now earned AU$911,225 from just seven starts, with the promise of more to come.

Russian Camelot is the second foal of unraced Lady Babooshka (by Cape Cross), while his second dam Balalaika (by Sadler's Wells) was a listed winner over nine furlongs.

Lady Babooshka is a three-quarters sister to group 2 winner Alkaadem, fourth in the Dubai Duty Free (G1) won by Australia's Elvstroem, as well as consistent handicapper Raising Sand.

Russian Camelot has a 2-year-old full sister named Russian Camilla, who is in training with Sylvester Kirk in the UK. Lady Babooshka also has a filly foal by Zoffany, while she is back in foal to Camelot.