Cover image courtesy of Bruno Cannatelli
After completing secondary school in the early 2000s, New Zealanders Nick Hewson and Dean Hawkins struck up a friendship working together at Windsor Park Stud. They wanted to race a horse together and embarked on the journey of finding a suitable mare.
In 2016, the pair paid NZ$7000 for She’s Slinky (NZ) at the New Zealand Bloodstock Winter Mixed Sale. The stakes-placed Handsome Ransom mare was a four-time winner from a family that traces back to G3 victress Classic Babe (NZ) (Classic Fame {USA}) and her Group 2-winning daughter Passchendaele (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}).
Hawkins and Hewson decided to send her to Turn Me Loose (NZ), who resides at Windsor Park Stud, and the resultant foal was a filly, who would be named She’s Licketysplit (NZ).
Dean and Sean Hawkins | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
The mating proved a masterstroke, with She’s Licketysplit winning an Ellerslie maiden on debut, before taking out the G1 Sistema S. at the same track at her second start.
Not a bad result for the lads and the filly’s fellow owners.
“We met when we were young fellas, about 18 years old,” Hewson told TDN AusNZ.
“We worked together for two years at Windsor Park and became good mates, before going different ways.
“We always wanted to have a broodmare together and She’s Slinky was the first one we had and we managed to breed a Group 1 winner.
“We always wanted to have a broodmare together and She’s Slinky was the first one we had and we managed to breed a Group 1 winner.” - Nick Hewson
“It’s quite unbelievable.”
Hewson currently works as the nominations manager at Windsor Park Stud, although he wasn’t there when She’s Slinky was covered.
“I was in Hong Kong. Dean and I both really liked the stallion and we thought it would be a good physical mating for the mare and she’s turned out to be a lovely filly,” Hewson explained.
The Andrew Forsman-trained filly has taken Hewson and Hawkins, and fellow owners Matt Delahunty and Matt and Jess Kilkenny, on an incredible journey.
She’s Licketysplit added a Group 3 victory at Ruakaka to her record, before crossing the ditch for a spring campaign. The 3-year-old has since won the G2 Edward Manifold S. at Flemington and was a brave third in the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on an unsuitable bog track.
Nick Hewson | Image courtesy of Windsor Park Stud
On Saturday, She’s Licketysplit gets the chance to add another Group 1 when she contests the Empire Rose S. (formerly the Myer Classic).
“We’re heading over to Melbourne for the race. My wife (Tennille) won’t be there, but my brothers are coming, and so is Nick and his wife (Claire), as well as Matt Delahunty and Jess Kilkenny,” Hawkins, who co-owns Wentwood Grange alongside brothers Sean and Leigh, explained.
“It’s unbelievable to have a runner on Derby Day, let alone being in a Group 1.
“It’s unbelievable to have a runner (She's Licketysplit) on Derby Day, let alone being in a Group 1.” - Nick Hewson
“We’re all very, very excited and really looking forward to it.
“We’re still pinching ourselves; we’re so lucky with what she’s already achieved.”
Hewson echoed Hawkins’ sentiments, saying: “I’ve always marvelled at Derby Day as the best day of racing in Australasia, so it’s pretty special to have a runner there.
“It should be a nice day with friends and family.
“It’s a bit of a fairytale.”
Hawkins said fellow Kiwi and race favourite La Crique (NZ) (Vadamos {Fr}) is the one they have all to get past.
La Crique (NZ) winning the G1 Arrowfield Stud Plate | Image courtesy of NZ Racing Desk
“La Crique will be very hard to beat, she’s a class mare and we’re excited to see her run over there and flying the New Zealand flag, too,” he added.
“Nick and I, as breeders and working for farms that sell that New Zealand product, is what we love and live by.
“Nick (Hewson) and I, as breeders and working for farms that sell that New Zealand product, is what we love and live by.” - Dean Hawkins
“Being up against her is a thrill in itself.”
She’s Licketysplit and La Crique have a chance to extend the recent record of New Zealand-bred winners of the race. I Am A Star (NZ) (I Am Invincible) scored in 2016, Shillelagh (NZ) (Savabeel) was triumphant in 2018, before Melody Belle (NZ) (Commands) saluted 12 months later.
Sibling rivalry
On Victoria Derby Day in 2016, the Shane Nichols-trained I Am A Star created history, becoming the first 3-year-old filly to win the race.
Twelve months later, Anthony Freedman’s beautifully bred filly Shoals (Fastnet Rock) repeated the dose, outlasting the fast-finishing Eckstein (I Am Invincible).
Shoals (white cap) | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
On Saturday, She’s Licketysplit will look to become the third filly to win the race when she tackles the older mares in the $1 million feature. The Kiwi star is the lone filly in the 16-horse field.
Interestingly, Hawkins’ brother Sean, successfully pinhooked I Am Star. He initially outlaid NZ$12,000 for her as a weanling at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale, before selling her for $40,000 at the 2015 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale Summer Book.
“My brother pinhooked I Am A Star, so there’s a little bit of brotherly rivalry there,” Hawkins quipped.
“My brother (Sean Hawkins) pinhooked I Am A Star, so there’s a little bit of brotherly rivalry there.” - Dean Hawkins
“Wentwood Grange bought her as a weanling and sold her as a yearling, but it was Sean liked her, he picked her.
“The pressure is on to see whether we can pull it off, too.”
Mega pay-day up for grabs
She’s Licketysplit is one of five runners in contention for a $1 million bonus. Last year, Racing Victoria introduced the bonus for any horse that wins one of 12 designated black-type races and the Empire Rose S.
Nimalee (So You Think {NZ}), Kissonallforcheeks (Written Tycoon), Daisies (Sebring) and Excelida (Exceed And Excel) are the other horses that have been victorious in one of the designated qualifying races for fillies and mares in 2022.
“Yeah, that’s a nice incentive to have going, too,” said Hawkins.
“It would be wonderful to win a Group 1, get the prizemoney for first and then the bonus on top of that.”
Hewson added: “I try not to let myself think about that.”
The winner’s cheque for the Empire Rose S. is $600,000.
A chance at history
She’s Licketysplit is the best performer for Turn Me Loose, who Forsman trained in partnership with Murray Baker and stands for a fee of NZ$20,000 (plus GST)
Andrew Forsman | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Hewson said it would be great to get an eighth stakes win and first Group 1 win in Australia for the triple Group 1-winning son of Iffraaj (GB).
“He’s had Prix de Turn as a Group 2 winner over there, but it would be the first one for the sire in Australia,” said Hewson.
“The boss (Rodney Schick) would be thrilled if that were to happen; he’s heading over to Melbourne, too, which is great as he’s been a big part of our careers. It will be special to have him there if she can pull it off.”
