Black Caviar relation Theblade proves a cut above in comfortable debut win at Randwick Kensington

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes says the future is bright with smart colt Theblade following his excellent debut victory at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday.

Theblade, a close relation to Black Caviar, cruised to victory on debut at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday. Picture: Bradley Photos

Theblade, a close relation to champion sprinter Black Caviar, had trainer Michael Hawkes labelling him “the real deal” following his explosive debut romp at Randwick Kensington on Wednesday.

The highly-promising son of Toronado showed a glimpse of the talent that runs through his family with a dominant 5¾-length success in the Street Boss @ Darley Maiden Handicap (1150m).

Theblade was born and raised at Gilgai Farm in Victoria, just like his paternal half-brother Masked Crusader and (in human terms) his aunt and uncle, Black Caviar and All Too Hard.

The Hawkes were the trainers of four-time Group 1 winner All Too Hard during his stellar racing career more than a decade ago and have high hopes for his latest relation.

Theblade right down the outside takes the opener on debut at Randwick!@[e-mail]/c8uvqsYAC7

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 14, 2024

“It is another generation,” Hawkes, who trains with dad John and brother Wayne, said.

“With these colts, we are lucky enough to train them and have the patient owners that we do.

“When you have a family that we have had a lot to do with and obviously Gilgai are in the horse as well and bred this bloke.

“(Gilgai’s) Rick Jamieson knows how to breed a winner and it’s exciting to think that a horse of this calibre could hopefully get to the top one day.”

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Theblade was due to have his first start while he was still a two-year-old on the final day of last season at Warwick Farm but was frustratingly scratched at the gates.

Patient connections got their reward when the emerging colt finally got his chance with Tommy Berry taking Theblade to the centre of the track and allowing Theblade to get to top gear.

Theblade is related to champion sprinter Black Caviar (pictured).

Theblade ($3) motored away to beat the James Cummings-trained Alpine Ski ($3.50) with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Johnny The Kid ($3.30) in third.

“We have always said he has got plenty of ability, you are just yet to see it and today we saw it and a wet track is another positive,” Hawkes said.

“With us everyone knows it’s all about how the horse pulls up about where we go and what we do next.

“But I do know, he is the real deal and hopefully he can go on to bigger and better things.”

The Hawkes will unleash another exciting colt this Saturday when stablemate Brave One steps out in the Listed $200,000 Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Originally published as Black Caviar relation Theblade proves a cut above in comfortable debut win at Randwick Kensington