No Kirk But Hawkes Gives Rosehill A Shaik

Sydney’s wet weather denied punters the opportunity to see three of Hawkes Racing’s most exciting horses but the stable did not leave the Rosehill meeting empty handed.

Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas winner Ole Kirk was one of the favourites for Saturday’s Group Two Expressway Stakes but was scratched on race morning due to the rain-affected track.

Stablemates Masked Crusader and Mount Poppa were withdrawn from their respective assignments for the same reason.

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said all three were in good order but they did not want them to resume on a wet surface.

“We scratched the three of them because of the wet track. Their chance will come,” Hawkes said.

Hawkes Racing still saddled up two Rosehill runners and both performed well.

Juvenile Montana Flash hit the line nicely for fourth to Zethus in the Canonbury Stakes, while recent recruit Shaik took out the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1400m) with Tommy Berry aboard.

“Tommy rode her perfect. He just stalked them and used the whole straight and she really got through the ground,” Hawkes said.

Hawkes said Ole Kirk would be nominated for the Eskimo Prince Stakes next Saturday and possibly the C F Orr Stakes in Melbourne, while Mount Poppa could also resume next week at Randwick.