Ole Kirk’s first season 2YOs began explosively when his runners hit the track on Saturday in the first NSW 2YO races of the season.

His first became a Stakes winner, with King Kirk taking the Breeders’ Plate (Gr.3, 1000m). His second was Stakes placed, with O’ Ole a gallant runner up in the Gimcrack Stakes (Gr.3, 1000m).

Both had won at Sydney’s first official two-year-old trials on September 23, which justified the early positive talk from trainers and breakers regarding Ole Kirk’s first crop.

King Kirk (2c x Oxford Angel), trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, was bred by Ged Nolan who recently welcomed a full brother into the world at his Warwick property.

The talented colt was initially sold by Rosari Farm for $200,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale to Redwall Bloodstock. He was then pin-hooked through Widden Stud’s Magic Millions Yearling Sale draft this year, where he was purchased for $300,000 by his trainers, Belmont Bloodstock Agency, and My Racehorse Pty Ltd.

It was an impressive run for the debut 2YO. King Kirk was given time to find his feet, under jockey Rachel King, drifting back to seventh of the eight runners and finding some cover. Travelling sweetly behind the pace set by stablemate North England, King Kirk picked off runner after runner down the centre of the track to defeat the Extreme Choice colt Tempestuous by a half-neck with a head back to the Farnan colt North England.

Adrian Bott highlighted in his post-race interview that the colt will now go for a short spell and target the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL) before a possible Golden Slipper campaign.

 “He’s a lovely horse. Everything he’s done to date has just been very professional,” Bott said.

“He got a bit further back than expected today in the run, and it was a great effort to pick them up there in the final strides. An exciting horse going forward and rightly so, they (owners) should all be excited.” READ MORE HERE.

Exceedance’s exciting son Swiftfalcon (3g x Tempting Delight) ticked another box early in his career when putting away a quality field by 2.1L in Saturday’s Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Ridden by Jay Ford for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Swiftfalcon drifted back to third last from an outside barrier. In a display reminiscent of his sire, he showed a blistering turn of foot in the final 350m to draw away from the field eased down.

“He got into a lovely rhythm, and they went hard. He’s a lovely talent, but he’s still very raw. He wanted to lay in a bit, but he is very exciting,” Michael Hawkes said post-race.

“The plan is the Spring Champion (Stakes). We thought about running him first-up in the Golden Rose but decided to take the easier option and head back to Melbourne. We thought this would be easier than taking on the Caulfield Guineas. The Spring Champion has always been there, and he looks to be wanting 2000m, which is great.

“It’s great for Exceedance, and it’s been a great day with Ole Kirk (sire of Breeders Plate winner King Kirk). We feel like proud dads, really.”

Bred and retained by Rupert Legh Racing, the Vinery raised Swiftfalcon looks to continue his Spring assault this weekend, backing up in the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) where he is currently second favourite in the market. The backup will set him up well for his major target of the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) a fortnight later.

Vinery stands Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) for an unchanged $33,000 (inc. GST) service fee this season with payment on a live foal.  For bookings or further information, contact Adam, Harry, McKoy or Peter on (02) 6543 8333.

Starry Heights (5g x Highly Illustrious) continued his consistent winning record when completing the Boulder Cup – Kalgoorlie Cup Stakes double on Saturday and advancing his record to nine wins from nineteen starts.

The ultra-consistent galloper became Star Turn’s 6^th Stakes performer since August 1, 2024, when winning the Listed Boulder Cup on the September 22, before his second Stakes success in the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup on Saturday for trainers Grant and Alana Williams.

“He could potentially be a Perth Cup horse,” Alana Williams claimed in her post-race interview.

Star Turn’s Stakes winning daughter Alsephina (6m x Delta Gee) is also looking to add two consecutive Stakes wins to her record this season being double nominated for the Gr.1 Hyland Race Colours Toorak Handicap and the Gr.3 Catanach’s 150 Years Vase this Saturday at Caulfield.

The Grant and Alana Williams trained mare was a gallant runner-up in last season’s Gr.1 Railway Stakes at Ascot before making the move east for the start of the Spring racing carnival. Since the move, she has repaid her trainers’ confidence with a Gr.3 placing first up in the Let’s Elope Stakes and a triumphant win in the Gr.2 Stocks Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 27.

Star Turn, whose largest crops have just turned two and three, looks to keep his Stakes success rolling with Khadime (3f x Countess Nan) holding a nomination for her debut Stakes performance at Rosehill in the Listed Tapp-Craig for 3YO fillies over 1400m.

Star Turn stands for a fee of $27,500 inc. GST again this season, which is not payable until you get a live foal. Call Adam, Harry, McKoy or Peter on (02) 6543 8333 to discuss your mare(s).