One to Watch – Bendigo

Tara Madgwick - Friday September 3

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.

Advertisement

Fire wins with ease at Bendigo - image Brett Holburt / Racing Photos

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.

Fastnet Rock is a Premium stallion, click for more information.


 

Advertisment

Race Result - Bendigo Mazda Mdn Plate 1100m

Bendigo Track: Good(4) Time: 1:03.70
1
Fire
- 3g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Keep On Singing (USA) (Hennessy (USA))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Fred W Kersley 57
2
2.8
Spirit Of Pepin
- 3g Magnus (AUS) x Amaudru (AUS) (King Charlemagne (USA))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Alana Kelly 57
3
3.6
Strad
- 4g Dream Ahead (USA) x Miss Octopussy (AUS) (Lonhro (AUS))
Tnr: J T Conlan Rdr: J Mott 59.5
4
4.7
Topeka
- 3f Headwater (AUS) x Wichita Woman (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: T & C McEvoy Rdr: Dean Holland 55
5
4.9
Joseylin
- 3f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Mrs Kipling (IRE) (Exceed And Excel (AUS))
Tnr: Ben & J D Hayes Rdr: D W Stackhouse 55.5
6
5.3
Fly On Bye
- 3g Air Force Blue (USA) x Alsariaa (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: L Currie 57
7
5.4
Rain Boy
- 3g Your Song (AUS) x New York Rain (AUS) (Statue Of Liberty (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: Jack Hill 57
8
7.4
Serenaur
- 3c Star Turn (AUS) x Orlaith (AUS) (Toorak Toff (AUS))
Tnr: Brent Stanley Rdr: Liam Riordan 57
9
8.7
Imminent Risk
- 3g Medaglia D'Oro (USA) x Condesaar (AUS) (Xaar (GB))
Tnr: D T O'Brien Rdr: John Allen 57
10
8.8
Big Time Girl
- 4m Exceed And Excel (AUS) x Big Chill (AUS) (Artie Schiller (USA))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Damian Lane 57.5
11
10.8
Pindari Point
- 3g Shooting To Win (AUS) x Parriwi (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Archie Alexander Rdr: Declan Bates 57
12
14.8
Wildfire Rose
- 5m War (AUS) x Oamaru Rose (AUS) (Oamaru Force (AUS))
Tnr: E W Nichols Rdr: Ms A Bryan 55.5
More Reading...
Building future leaders: Aushorse Graduate Program underway for 2026
The 2026 Aushorse Graduate Program officially commenced yesterday in Victoria, welcoming 10 outstanding university graduates from across Australia for the opening of the program’s two-week intensive learning block.
Third Declarations for G1 Blue Diamond - Who is in the Mix?
Third declarations have been confirmed for next month’s $2 million Group 1 Sportsbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), with more than 60 two-year-olds still in the mix for Victoria’s premier juvenile feature.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday January 28
Here is the full list of 41 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Home Affairs 2YO Primed for G3 Assignment
A week after the pick of the eligible crop did battle in the Listed Karaka Millions (1200m), a second wave of quality juveniles are set to line up at Ellerslie in Saturday’s Gr.3 Colin Jillings Classic (1200m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured four heats that were won by juveniles and two of those winners were by Ole Kirk, while an unraced Home Affairs filly continues to show potential with her second trial win.
Arrowfield Announce Dubawi G1 Winner for 2026
Arrowfield Stud is delighted to announce that Juddmonte’s Group 1-winning miler Lead Artist (Dubawi – Obligate by Frankel) will join the Stud’s 2026 stallion roster under a shuttle arrangement.
First Winner for Wild Ruler
In the same week Newgate young gun Profiteer sired his first winner, his barnmate Wild Ruler has followed suit with the Rod Northam trained gelding Savage Look making a winning debut at Scone on Thursday.
Team Widden Primed for Inglis Classic
The release of third declarations for the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes next month has Widden Stud’s fairytale colt Unit Five still in the mix after his brilliant win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but next week the focus for Team Widden turns to Inglis Classic.
Autumn Stars Step Out at Caulfield Trials
Four-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment will be among the star attractions in next month’s $750,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with Mornington trainer Matt Laurie confirming her intended starting point.
Unbeaten Snitzel G1 Colt Return to Conquer Retired
Unbeaten Group One-winning colt Return To Conquer has been retired.