Caulfield Guineas (Group 1)

OLE Kirk stamped himself the most valuable colt in Australia by franking his Golden Rose win with victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.

Trained by John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes, Ole Kirk avoided the early battle for position at the head of affairs to take a sit behind the leaders, one off the fence.

With Willie Pike up, the Written Tycoon colt had the Dabernig/Hayes-trained Aysar to his outside, who subsequently provided an excellent trail into the race as the field of 13 colts and one gelding swept into the straight.

Striking out for the line, the Deep Field colt Asyar put a break on the contenders with only Ole Kirk able to follow. The latter slowly reeled in his prey to take the win by a half-length as the third-placed Myboycharlie colt Grandslam was a further two lengths adrift.

“I went in, and then I went out, It just took me a moment to gather momentum,” said Pike. “Once he did he was strong through the line yet again. These Hawkes team horses, they have them pretty right. I’ve just got to get my end right and we’re good.”

Purchased for A$675,000 at the Inglis Melbourne Premier, Ole Kirk is now at the centre of a bidding duel in the Hunter Valley.

Bred by Rick Jamison of Gilgai Farm, who also bred Black Caviar, Ole Kirk is a close relation to the great mare as he is out of an unraced sister to the sprint ace.

“It’s a breeder’s dream,” said Jamison. “You put so much time and effort and energy into it and then to finally get to a race like this and win it, it’s just amazing.”

By Written Tycoon, whose grand-sire is Last Tycoon, the win completed the Group 1 Guineas double for the chesnut stallion following Odeum’s win in the 1000 Guineas. The 18-year-old Written Tycoon, who relocated to Arrowfield Stud this season from Woodside Park in Victoria, now has 10 individual Group 1 winners.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes has since confirmed that Ole Kirk, now with a record of three wins and four placing from eight starts and $2.05 million in earnings will not be seen again over the spring.

“This was his grand final. He peaked in Sydney but then his grand final was here (at Caulfield). There was no thought about him going on,” said Hawkes. “He’s going to the paddock and then who knows what he’s going to do in the autumn.

“He is the best three-year-old in the country. What’s he worth? Who cares what he’s worth – it’s a big, big number. It’s more money than I will see in a lifetime.”