Written by Paul Vettise
John Hawkes and sons Michael and Wayne had to settle for minor roles in the feature race of the day in Sydney, but gained ample compensation with a brace of following Group 2 victories.
Team Hawkes produced Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) and North Pacific (Brazen Beau) to finish runner-up and third respectively in the G2 Run To The Rose at Rosehill before they celebrated a winning inter-State double.
High-priced yearling Doubtland (Not A Single Doubt) returned to his brilliant best with victory in the G2 Seppelt Danehill S. at Flemington and stablemate Wild Planet (Animal Kingdom {USA}) was too good for the favourite Funstar (Adelaide {Ire}) in the G1 Iron Jack Theo Marks S.
Doubtland won both of his 2-year-old starts, but was off the pace when beating home one runner in the G3 San Domenico S. when resuming at Rosehill.
“We went home and scratched our heads really because we know he’s good very good. They just went so hard so he was chasing all the way,” Wayne Hawkes said.
“We went home and scratched our heads really because we know he’s good very good." - Wayne Hawkes
He was given a patient ride on Saturday by William Pike and finished off in impressive style to boost confidence in his prospect for the upcoming G1 Coolmore Stud S.
“When he got out, he really put those ears back and he’s a smart horse. I thought he’d like the straight so it’s nice to see him do it. I said to Willie (rider, Pike) if he lets rip, he’ll blow them away and that’s what he did.
“I get it right every now and then and I thought he’d like the straight. He was never gone but you know what, he’s back and he’s up and about.”
Expensive colt
Doubtland was bred by Arrowfield Stud and purchased out of its Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale draft by Orbis Bloodstock for $1.1 million. He is a brother to stakes winner Pretty Fast with their dam Miss Sharapova (NZ) (Ustinov) a half-sister to G2 Challenge S. winner Villa Verde (Not A Single Doubt).
“He’s an expensive colt with a hell of a pedigree, he’s got two Golden Slippers in his pedigree and he’s the real deal this bloke,” Hawkes said.
Doubtland as a yearling
Wild Planet had been unplaced when resuming in the G3 Show County, but brought his A-game to Rosehill in the Theo Marks.
“He had no luck last start, but he’s proven the victor today. He’s in the G1 Epsom H. and that’s the way we’re going with him at his stage,’’ Michael Hawkes said.
“He’s a real racehorse. He’s very happy within himself this preparation, he’s been unlucky in quite a few of his runs but he’s a lovely horse and he’s definitely going places.’’
Team Hawkes teamed up with Andrew Williams Bloodstock to purchase Wild Planet at the 2017 Inglis Easter Sale, paying $280,000 for him from Arrowfield Stud, who co-bred the horse with Planette Thoroughbreds.
He is a son of Salutations (Redoute’s Choice) and a half-brother to the G1 Caulfield Guineas winner and now resident Waikato Stud sire Super Seth.
