Named after the inventor of the Lego building blocks, Ole Kirk is now building his own reputation with a brilliant victory in Saturday’s Gr1 $1million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.
With the odds-on favourite Rothfire setting a strong gallop and first into the home straight, Ole Kirk was second last on the rail and in traffic.
Once into running room Ole Kirk accelerated brilliantly with stablemate North Pacific (Brazen Beau) and had a head advantage at the finish with King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) in third.
Rothfire was dismounted after the line and subsequent tests revealed damage to a near fore sesamoid with his racing future now in doubt.
Ole Kirk and North Pacific were the top two lots at the 2019 Inglis Premier Sale in Melbourne. Ole Kirk, whose dam is a sister to Black Caviar and half-sister toAll Too Hard, sold for $675,000 and North Pacific $800,000.
Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said both Ole Kirk and North Pacific are outstanding colts.
“Tommy (Berry) just got held up on Ole Kirk, he had wait for the right run and that probably proved the difference. He was able to sprint that little bit better and they’ve streeted the rest,” Hawkes said,
“I said to (Ole Kirk’s owner) Neil Werrett before the first run, that the horse was going very good, as good as he’s ever gone.
“We’ve always had two really good colts, we’ve tried to separate them going forward. Obviously this is the Grand Final and to run one-two, it’s a fantastic effort.”
Ole Kirk is the 10th Gr1 winner for Written Tycoon and his second in 24 hours following Pippie’s win in the Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.
“They are both outstanding colts, we liked them as yearlings and it’s great for our owners to get this result. We are just doing our job, developing these colts.” Hawkes continued.
“It is all about these colts – that is what we love doing, we exceed at it, we aren’t flamboyant about it, we are reserved and get on with the job and know what has to be done.”