Some of Australia’s highest-profile three-year-olds colts return to the races this weekend, but the one considered the horse to beat in two of that age-group’s most significant events is still a couple of weeks away from resuming.
Nepotism will launch his spring campaign in the $300,000 Group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 13.
The son of Brutal finished fourth in a low-key trial at Canterbury on Monday last week and co-trainer Michael Hawkes is delighted with the condition of the Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner.
“He’ll run in the Run To The Rose first-up,” Hawkes said.
“His trial was great, we can’t fault him and he’s looking well.
“The Run To The Rose looks ideal for him and he’s going really good.”
Nepotism heads betting on the $1 million Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m), which will be run on September 27, from Wodeton and Vinrock, who will resume in Sydney and Melbourne respectively this weekend.
He is also favourite for the following fortnight’s Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Nepotism is striving to emulate another colt Hawkes trained in partnership with his father John and brother Wayne, Ole Kirk, who completed the Golden Rose/Caulfield Guineas double in 2020.
Ole Kirk, like Nepotism, is a member of one of Australian racing’s most famous families, both being out of daughters of Helsinge, who is also the dam of Black Caviar.
Nepotism was not the Hawkes stable’s only Group 1 winner to appear at last week’s Canterbury trials with Briasa ramping up his preparations for The Everest with a slick 900m trial win.
The T J Smith Stakes winner has not been to the races since his All Aged Stakes fourth placing and while he is likely to resume in 1100m The Shorts on September 20, his path to the $20 million The Everest on October 18 is not set in stone.
“We haven’t really made a plan with him yet, I know there’s only limited races he can run in, but he he’ll be cherry ripe by the time The Everest comes around,” Hawkes said.
“His trial was super for his first one, he went really good, and we’re very happy.
“He’s matured, he’s grown and he looks great.”
Briasa sits on the $8 third line of betting on The Everest behind Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising ($1.80) and Private Harry ($6).
