Racing at Flemington on Saturday produced another great result for Vinery Stud’s classy young sire Ole Kirk with talented colt Prestige Ole making it two wins from three starts when taking out the $175,000 VRC VOBIS Gold Plate (1400m).
Trained by David Brideoake & Matt Jenkins and ridden by Ben Allen, Prestige Ole broke his maiden at Ballarat on March 7 and enjoyed the step up in trip to hit the line hard and win this tougher assignment by a long neck.
“He was super today. There was a nice bit of heat early, which allowed me to get into a spot and he travelled good. We had the main chances in front of us, but he had them covered a long way out,” said Ben Allen.
“He's showing maturity beyond his years. He's pulled up absolutely super. The team have done a very good job getting him here in this order.
“He was very tractable in the run and upping the trip suited him and I think he'll get further.”
Already the winner of $112,975 with two wins from three starts, Prestige Ole was passed in twice as a weanling and then again as a yearling before Twin Hills Stud were able to sell him through the 2024 Inglis Digital Online April (late) Sale to Eric Yeung for $70,000.
The same owner and trainers were in the winner’s circle last week with another Ole Kirk in Prestige Forever, who won the Listed MVRC Moonee Valley Pearl.
“We’ve had a good run with the Prestige colours, so Eric will be pretty happy, he's coming over next week so I think he'd be very happy with this horse, he's done a good job,” said David Brideoake.
“Interestingly he was quite a speedy horse initially, but he's got a good laid-back attitude and he settled quite well today which was good to see.
“That opens up a whole lot of options for you as a two-year-old and maybe going forward as a three-year-old to the mile.”
Prestige Ole was foaled and raised at Twin Hills Stud for his breeder Leo To and is the first winner from Major Wager, a stakes-placed Exceed and Excel mare from the family of Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Amalfi.
Prestige Ole is one of seven first crop winners for Ole Kirk, who is the leading first season sire by earnings.