Hawkes Racing duo Ole Kirk and North Pacific back in work for autumn, but stable coy on goals

Two of the best three-year-old colts in Australia are back in pre-training and co-trainer Michael Hawkes says they’ve improved out of sight.

Ole Kirk and North Pacific fought out the Golden Rose. Picture: Mark Evans

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes has declared star colts Ole Kirk and North Pacific ‘have improved out of sight’ in an ominous warning to the pairs’ 2021 autumn rivals.

Both colts have returned to pre-training and are in the early stages of their build up to the autumn for the in-form Hawkes Racing yard.

Ole Kirk confirmed his status as the best colt of his generation during the spring when winning both the Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

The regally bred son of Written Tycoon outpointed his stablemate North Pacific when winning the Golden Rose with the latter sent for a spell after the run.

Ole Kirk winning the Caulfield Guineas. Picture: George Salpigtidis

Ole Kirk, which is a close relation to Black Caviar, followed him to the paddock following his second Group 1 triumph and spent about a month away from training.

“They are back in pre-training and honestly there is no plans for either of them until we get them back into the stable but we are looking forward to getting them back in the stable,” Hawkes, who trains with his dad John and brother Wayne, said.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes. Picture: Mark Evans

“They have improved out of sight and both look unbelievable.

“It is amazing really to think that Ole Kirk, it has been five or six weeks since the Guineas win and he’s getting closer to coming back into the stable.

“It just comes around so quickly.”

The Hawkes have consistently proven themselves as one of Australia’s best stallion making stables with Ole Kirk and North Pacific headlining a talent rich roster heading into the autumn.

Hawkes admits there is plenty to be excited about for the stable heading into the New Year.

“There is those two and the other two colts in Dirty Work and Doubtland who have still be ticking over,” he said.

“To have four good colts, it is good.

“You try and get one and it is just one of those things.”

Doubtland is already a Group 2 winner after winning the Danehill Stakes and was fourth in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Dirty Work, a four-year-old stallion, has also chalked up a Group 2 success in the Schillaci Stakes while he was third in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes.

A Group 1 triumph would be the perfect addition to the resume in the 2021 with North Pacific also chasing a major.

Originally published as Hawkes Racing duo Ole Kirk and North Pacific back in work for autumn, but stable coy on goals