Team Hawkes unleash speedy colt North Pacific in memorable hitout
Team Hawkes know how to nuture youngsters on the path to greatest, so a new partnership with thoroughbred investors Orbis Bloodstock should opposition wary after another promising colt rolled off the production line.
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Team Hawkes and thoroughbred investors Orbis Bloodstock are emerging as a powerful new force in Sydney racing.
North Pacific, with jockey Koby Jennings wearing the Orbis colours, became the latest promising colt to roll off the Hawkes stable production line with a brilliant win in Rosehill’s juvenile opener last Saturday.
The Hawkes stable, renowned for developing colts into racetrack stars and stallion prospects, has two rising three-year-olds owned by Orbis who could be anything next season, North Pacific and Doubtland.
“We have a few for Orbis, they are good owners, they have put a lot of money into this industry and are big supporters of Australian racing,’’ said Michael Hawkes, co-trainer of North Pacific.
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“Orbis are entrusting us to select their colts and we paid $800,000 for North Pacific as a yearling and $1.1 million for Doubtland. They have two very nice colts for the new season.’’
North Pacific was having only his second start after his third to Farnan and Global Quest in the Silver Slipper in February.
He oozed class and quality winning his comeback race and seems likely to join Doubtland and be set for the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 26.
North Pacific firmed from $26 to $11 and joined Doubtland on the third line of TAB Fixed Odds betting for the Golden Rose behind Farnan at $6.
ANOTHER WALLER RECORD COMES AND GOES
Racing does not do milestones well.
The Chris Waller stable passed the national prizemoney record for a season when Lewis won at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday but there was no recognition of the trainer’s feat.
With just under three weeks of the 2019-20 season remaining, Waller has trained the winners of $43.84 million, breaking the record he set last season of $43.76 million. Even in this area of mega-rich races, this is a significant achievement, particularly as prizemoney was reduced for three months during the COVID-19 outbreak.
But the racing industry has again missed an opportunity to celebrate an outstanding performance.
Unlike other sports, racing does not have a central body which collates statistics to advise the media and public of milestones and records.
For example, cricket has an extensive data base that provides information on everything including batting records and bowling statistics.
The NRL and AFL are also good at ensuring a player’s game milestones or point-scoring feats are feted.
There are a few racing websites and individual journalists who try to maintain record-keeping but with limited resources.
Maybe Racing Australia can take the lead on this issue and create a one-stop shop of racing’s records and statistics.
Waller’s record slipped by without hardly anyone noticing which is disappointing. There is every likelihood another of racing’s national records will be broken by the end of the season but will anyone know?
Willie Pike rode at treble at Perth’s Belmont track last Saturday to take his tally of wins this season to 225 and he needs just 10 more winners to break his national riding record of 234 wins set last year.
COLLETT RACING’S LATEST TOUR DE FORCE
Jason Collett has taken his riding to a new level earning rare praise from Hall of Famer Darren Beadman.
Collett was in brilliant form at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday riding a treble including the Winter Stakes on Noble Boy.
This came after his outstanding ride to win the Grafton Cup on Sixties Groove last Thursday and successive doubles at the previous two Sydney Saturday meetings.
Collett is a man of few words and doesn’t go seeking publicity or kudos – but Beadman spoke volumes on the jockey’s behalf after his win on Varda.
Beadman described Collett as one of Sydney racing’s best wet-weather jockeys.
“Jason has great balance and gives horses confidence,’’ Beadman explained.
“When riding on these wet tracks, it is about giving a horse the confidence to go help them go through their ‘gears’ and keep their momentum going.
“There is an art to it, Jason has a gift.’’
COLT SHOWSTOPPER HARDLY A DROP IN THE OCEAN
North Pacific chose a low-key midwinter meeting to make a resounding spring carnival statement at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
The promising juvenile colt, prepared by Team Hawkes, oozed class and quality as he strode away with the Darley 2YO Handicap (1100m).
The striking near-black youngster was first-up on a heavy track after just one barrier trial but he was in a different race to his rivals. He was so impressive, his odds were slashed from $26 to $15 for the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose in late September.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was deliberately measured when asked about North Pacific but it was plainly obvious the stable has a big opinion of the rising three-year-old sprinter.
“North Pacific is a lovely colt,’’ Hawkes said. “He has a great attitude and is easy to work with.
“The heavy track was a bit of a query, we don’t generally like to run ‘green’ horses on heavy tracks.
“But we looked at the weather report and it is supposed to be pouring rain all (this) week.
“So, we took the gamble and ran today and he got through it on his ability. I think you will see a much better horse on top of the ground.
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“He won well, don’t get me wrong, but it is the middle of winter and he is a bit better quality than the horses he raced against today. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with next season.’’
North Pacific ($2.70 favourite) was well ridden by Koby Jennings before scoring easing down by 2¼ lengths from Sahra ($6.50) with just over a length to Shaik ($11) in third.
“I have to give Koby a good rap there, he kept the horse balanced and rode him perfect,’’ Hawkes said.
“The colt did everything right, he travelled well and when, he popped him off, the last thing I said to Koby was let the horse travel through his gears and he has done that.’’
Jennings didn’t panic when he found himself three back on the fence and waited patiently until easing the colt out wider coming into the straight.
“The race has panned out for us,’’ Jennings said. “We probably had to come a pair further back than I wanted but that’s all well and good.
“It’s always the way when you are in barrier one on the favourite. They know exactly where you are.
“But he was good, he helped himself. He’s just nice with you, he leans on the bridle a little bit but that’s what you want. He’s pretty exciting.
“He went through the line and has come back and not even had a blow — after one trial and racing on a heavy track.’’
Jennings said it was a “pleasant surprise” when he learned Team Hawkes had booked him for the North Pacific ride yesterday. “I was always coming here for Cafe Royal and Josh (Barrett), my manager, goes ‘we’ve picked another one up’ and I said, ‘oh yeah, sweet, what is it’?’’ Jennings said.
“When he said North Pacific for Hawkes, I thought I know that horse. When I went and looked at its form, I thought that’s why I know it.”
North Pacific, who was purchased by the Hawkes stable on behalf of Orbis Bloodstock for $800,000 at the Melbourne Premier Sale last year, had only raced once previously when third to Farnan in the Silver Slipper back in February.
Hawkes confirmed the Golden Rose, run over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens on September 26, is the obvious target for North Pacific.
“It always has been with this horse,’’ Hawkes said. “But where we go and what we do from here is yet to be determined. There is no rush.
“He ran third to the Golden Slipper winner at his first start but was probably a bit shin sore after that race. We didn’t persevere in the autumn, knowing we had a very nice colt for the future.
“Everyone saw his (barrier) trial, there was no hiding that. It was a matter of coming here today and getting through the ground.
“For us, it was all about coming here and winning as a two-year-old so he has ticked that box as well.’’
Sahra, co-trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, settled back in the field and finished strongly for second.
“She ran really well after giving them all a start,’’ Peter Snowden said.
“If she drew a better gate, she would have been a lot closer and it might have made it interesting so she has done a good job there.
“She will go out now for three or four weeks and then we will have her back for the spring.”
Originally published as Team Hawkes unleash speedy colt North Pacific in memorable hitout