The mighty Operation Hawkes Racing showcased some of its Spring Carnival contenders at the Rosehill Barrier Trials on Friday.
The two-state operation produced 17 riders across the 16 events, winning seven of the day’s rounds.
The stable kicked off the session when their Group 1 colt played Fastnet Rock Hilal led throughout to win a star-studded 900m event which included four Group 1 winners – Hinged, Mo’unga , Montefilia and Nimalee.
On a Heavy 8-rated course, Hilal completed the course in 56.79 seconds, covering his last 600 meters in 35.83 under Willie Pike.
Randwick races on August 20, Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) as well as Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) on September 3 at Randwick or Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m ) at Rosehill on September 10 are possible options for Hilal’s first round.
I Am Superman, trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, showed their quality by proving too late for their opponents to win a 1030m run in 1.04.54 (last 600m in 35.85).
Chris Waller’s remaining hope Surefire was not knocked down in the try, finishing fourth beaten at 3½ lengths.
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Champagne Stakes placegetter Williamsburg was not knocked down as they finished third, beaten by 2¼ lengths in a two-year-old 1030m trial in 1.04.33 (last 600m in 36.26).
Ryan told News Corp last week that Williamsburg will likely kick off its spring campaign at Rosehill on Aug. 27.
“I would say he will most likely kick things off in Up And Coming and from there there are so many options for a colt like this,” he said.
“The Spring Champion Stakes is worth $2 million this year, so that’s the likely target, but it’ll be entered for everything, so things may change depending on how they play out.”
The Blue Diamond Revolutionary Miss runner-up made her first public appearance of the spring when an impressive second behind the stakes performed Mumbai Jewel in a 900m heat which was run in 54.87 seconds, the last 600 meters in 35.68 .
Four of Hawkes Racing’s seven Trials winners have come in the two-year 900m Trials.
Group 3 winner Sebonack won his trial, as did Shalaa’s unreleased colts Philos and Sir Ming, and attractive fillies’ trial winner Seiryu.
Group foals Semillion and Magic also placed in their respective trials.
The other winners of the stable’s event were four-year-old Smirnova and Stromboli.
Originally published as Hawkes Racing pulls out spring arsenal at Rosehill Barrier Trials
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