The Hawkes Racing-trained Golden Rose champion Ole Kirk ended up on top again this time in Melbourne’s 2020 Caulfield Guineas results to emerge as the best three-year-old in the country and a very, very valuable stallion prospect.
Golden Rose winner Ole Kirk saluted in Melbourne’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas for Team Hawkes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The blue blood son of All Too Hard out of Black Caviar’s full-sister Naturale eased out to the $4.20 equal favourite in the Group 1 $2 million Neds Caulfield Guineas (1600m) having won Sydney’s Group 1 Golden Rose last time out over 1400m.
Ridden to victory by the flying WA visitor William Pike, who celebrated his fourth win and second Group 1 of the day, it wasn’t the easiest run to the line for Ole Kirk but he was too good in the end completing the Golden Rose – Caulfield Guineas double for the first time since The Autumn Sun (2018).
“When I got on Tagaloa’s back I was pretty happy with myself, but he was gone before acceptances,” Pike said post-win.
“So, plans b and c and d and e all came out at once.
“It took me a moment to gather my moment, but once I did, he stormed through the line strong once again.
“It was my first ever sit on him and I’m so grateful for the support.
“We had to zig and zag a little bit, but we got it done in the end.”
There was an early speed battle for the lead in the Guineas with Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained $61 outsider Grandslam eventually getting up to lead the field of better fancied rivals around.
Around the turn, Ole Kirk was racing about midfield five off the lead as they cornered.
Quickly winding up, Pike went to the outside on the favourite and Ole Kirk did the rest, racing clear to run down progressive Deep Field colt Aysar ($19) who had gotten in front 100m out and looked the winner before eventually crossing a brave neck back in second.
In a huge performance the pacemaker Grandslam, a younger brother to Caulfield Cup winning mare Jameka, held for third at big odds a further two lengths beaten to round-out the Caulfield Guineas trifecta.
The Caulfield Guineas results saw the father and sons partnership of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes celebrate their 21st Group 1 victory together.
“I never get nervous, but I did today,” Wayne Hawkes said after the race.
“He’s the best three-year-old in the country now so it’s as simple as that. If they want to retire him now, I’m happy with that.
“He can go to the paddock and have a well-earned break now.
“Hats off to Willie…he’s like D. Oliver, he was cool he was calm he was relaxed and he said ‘I’m on the best horse’ and he got the job done.
“He (Ole Kirk) was second top price at the Melbourne yearling sale.
“When his uncle’s all too hard and his aunty’s black caviar, I know what it’s like to be the son of because I was a top price yearling but I couldn’t gallop at least Ole Kirk can!”
2020 Caulfield Guineas Results
| Colour | Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Bar. | Weight | Penalty | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
1 | 3 | OLE KIRK |
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | William Pike | 7 | 56.5kg | $4.20EF | ||
 |
2 | 10 | AYSAR | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Damian Lane | 0.4L | 13 | 56.5kg | $19 | |
 |
3 | 13 | GRANDSLAM |
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | John Allen | 2.4L | 6 | 56.5kg | $61 | |
 |
4 | 6 | CROSSHAVEN | Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes | Daniel Stackhouse | 2.8L | 14 | 56.5kg | $12 | |
 |
5 | 8 | LUNAR FOX |
Paul Preusker | Brett Prebble | 3.55L | 4 | 56.5kg | $41 | |
|
6 | 7 | AMISH BOY | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | Jye McNeil | 3.75L | 1 | 56.5kg | $31 | |
 |
7 | 9 | MO’UNGA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damien Oliver | 4.75L | 10 | 56.5kg | $7 | |
|
8 | 15 | CAPTAIN CORELLI (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Michael Dee | 5.5L | 2 | 56.5kg | $71 | |
 |
9 | 2 | KING’S LEGACY | Peter & Paul Snowden | Hugh Bowman | 5.7L | 11 | 56.5kg | $6.50 | |
 |
10 | 11 | CAMBOURNE | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Mark Zahra | 7.2L | 9 | 56.5kg | $10 | |
 |
11 | 14 | POLAND | Michael Moroney | Jordan Childs | 9.95L | 8 | 56.5kg | $41 | |
 |
12 | 12 | NATIONAL CHOICE |
Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Craig Newitt | 11.2L | 5 | 56.5kg | $71 | |
 |
13 | 4 | MAMARAGAN | John Thompson | Michael Rodd | 14.95L | 12 | 56.5kg | $31 | |
 |
14 | 1 | TAGALOA | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Craig Williams | 18.45L | 3 | 56.5kg | $4.20EF | |
 |
5 | GLENFIDDICH | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 0 |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
