Hawkspur’s younger brother Devil Hawk has defied a betting drift to come from last to win the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle.
And like his Chris Waller-trained Group One-winning stablemate Hawkspur, the colt is just starting to show his true ability as a three-year-old.
Jockey Tye Angland thought he was beaten 100 metres out before Devil Hawk, who eased from $9 to $13, raised another effort to win Friday’s 1600m feature.
The Paul Perry-trained Tatoosh ($6) finished a head second with Gold Ambition ($7) another short neck third.
“He is a horse that thrives on confidence and everything was going smoothly for him but the pace was on and we were able to come out when we wanted to,” Angland said.
“I thought I was beaten at the 100 but once I pulled the whip through and gave him one just to straighten him up, he hit the line well.
“He is looking for further but he quickened up enough and is a horse that is still learning how to gallop.”
It was only two starts ago that Devil Hawk won a midweek maiden at Canterbury before running fifth to stablemate Wudang Mountain at Rosehill.
Wudang Mountain started the $2.35 favourite in the Spring Stakes and after racing in second place early weakened to finish fourth.
Waller brought up a Group Three double when She’s Clean won the Tibbie Stakes (1400m).
Starting from the outside barrier, She’s Clean ($6.50) was last to the turn but James McDonald found a run along the rails as the majority of riders steered away from the fence.
The mare produced a powerful finish to win by three-quarters of a length from Two Blue who had attempted to lead all the way only to be caught 50 metres from the line.
“I wish it opened up like that all the time,” McDonald said.
“She is a really nice mare and she tries her guts out and it is a credit to Chris and the team that they keep her racing like this.”
