Pike landed the biggest prize of all in the G1 Neds Caulfield Guineas with Team Hawkes’ Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon), and anyone’s guess the value now on the colt’s noble head, having earlier won the G1 Neds S. with Arcadia Queen (Pierro).
He had also guided Ole Kirk’s stablemate Dirty Work (Written Tycoon) to victory in the McCafe Schillaci S. and combined with Arcadia Queen’s barnmate Windstorm (Redoute’s Choice) to claim the Listed The Big Screen Company Weekend Hussler S.
It was a dream day for Pike, who later finished third in the G1 Toorak H. with Superstorm (Sebring), and he showed a cool head aboard Ole Kirk after the race didn’t pan out the way he had hoped.
“I got on Tagaloa’s back and I was pretty happy with myself and thought I’d got half the job done, but he was gone before acceptances,” Pike said.
Plan B, C and D
“Then Plan B, C and D all came out at once and I went in and then out and it took me a moment to gather my momentum. When I did, he was strong through the line yet again and the Hawkes team have these horses right,” Pike said.
Once into the clear in the straight, Ole Kirk lengthened stride and was too strong for Aysar (Deep Field), who was gallant off a wide run, and the front-runner Grandslam (Myboycharlie {Ire}) took third at long odds.
“He doesn’t like other horses much so I hope he changes his attitude there. I’m so grateful for the support and we had to zig and zag a little bit and I’m so happy we got the job done,” Pike said.
“I’m so grateful for the support and we had to zig and zag a little bit and I’m so happy we got the job done.” – William Pike
Having completed the Group 1 double of the Golden Rose S. and the Caulfield Guineas, Ole Kirk’s stallion value has gone to the highest of levels as he is out of a sister to the unbeaten champion Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and a half-sister to the multiple Group 1 winner and Vinery Stud producer All Too Hard.
William Pike and Wayne Hawkes
“It was something special and I never get nervous, but I did today. What it means is that he is the best 3-year-old in the country and if they want to retire him now I’m happy with that,” said Wayne Hawkes, who has now clocked up 21 Group 1 wins with farther John and his brother Michael.
“He was lovely and relaxed and he’d done everything right. He was back in his old box as he was here as a baby.
“He was as tough a 2-year-old as I’ve ever had in my hands and I’ve been lucky to have some good ones. When he went to Sydney I said to Michael good luck because he’s as tough as old boots.
“I’m sure Peter Moody will tell you Black Caviar was and I can guarantee you All Too Hard was, so it’s probably the family. He won his first start in a stakes race and, as I said, he’s the best 3-year-old in the country and can go to the paddock for a well-earned break.”
“I’m sure Peter Moody will tell you Black Caviar was and I can guarantee you All Too Hard was, so it’s probably the family." - Wayne Hawkes
Hawkes said he also had no concerns about Ole Kirk mastering the 1600 metre trip.
“He had to go back to last in the G1 Champagne S. from a wide barrier and James McDonald said if he didn’t have to go back to last he would have won so we never thought that was going to be an issue,” Hawkes said.
“It was more about whether he would get the right run and what about Willie – at the 800 he was thinking will I go in or out and he had two options and as usual he pulled the right rein.
“You have to get the blokes on top to do the right job and Willie is like Damien Oliver. He was cool, calm and relaxed and he said he was on the best horse and he’d get the job done.”
Ole Kirk was sold at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for $675,000 by breeder Gilgai Farm, who has remained in the ownership in a syndicate that also includes high-profile owner Neil Werrett.
“This is what we do, we get stallions and he was the second top-priced yearling at Melbourne and Neil and Colin Madden and company spend a lot of money,” Hawkes said.
Ole Kirk as a yearling
