Hawkes Racing have a big team of talented three year-olds running this spring and we can add this Fastnet Rock gelding to the list following his dominant win at Bendigo on Friday.
Fire was unremarkable when unplaced at his only run last season, but a close third at Randwick when resuming from a spell two weeks ago put him on the watch list, so an 1100m maiden looked a very winnable race on paper.
Punters thought so too and Fire went to the gates as favourite and led all the way for Fred Kersley to win by nearly three lengths eased down.
A $360,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Byerly Holdings from the Coolmore draft, Fire runs for a big syndicate of Hawkes stable clients and holds an entry for the Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas.
Fire is a full brother to Group III placed Violinist and is the second winner from stakes-placed Hennessy mare Keep on Singing (USA), a grand-daughter of Group I Hollywood Oaks winner Pattern Step.
The Fastnet Rock x Hennessy cross has been a good one producing over 80% winners to runners and three stakes-winners in Group I winner Irish Lights, plus Group winners Zululand and Fast ‘n’ Rocking with Fire poised to add to the success.