Vinery Stud’s young gun sire Ole Kirk added a new stakes-winner to his tally at Moonee Valley on Saturday when talented colt Prestige Forever kicked away to win the $175,000 Listed MVRC Moonee Valley Pearl (1200m) with a dominant display.
Prestige Forever wins the Moonee Valley Pearl - image George Salpigtidis / Racing Photos
Trained by David Brideoake and Matt Jenkins, Prestige Forever was a good second on debut in a Listed race at Flemington on March 1 won by Shining Smile and took good benefit out of that.
Ridden by Jamie Mott, Prestige Forever tracked the early speed and when angled around the leaders to challenge he quickly put the race to bed, dashing away to win by nearly four lengths. This race was won last year by Growing Empire, also at his second start and was a stepping stone to spring success.
“He ran really well first up, and just probably overdid it a little bit, but it was really good to see him get a good run in transit today and he was really strong late,” said co-trainer Matt Jenkins.
“He's probably not quite fully developed, but in what he's done so far, he's been really impressive. He was bought by a really high-profile owner of ours called Eric Leung, who's a massive supporter of his stable, so well done to him and his family.
“We earmarked this race post his first-up run, but where he goes from here on I’m not sure, I’ll speak to David (Brideoake) and see what he thinks, but he looks like he's got a bright future and there are several options, Sydney and Adelaide look very enticing.
“He's a little bit of a highly strung colt, so whether he goes to the paddock now or has one more we'll see, but they're all good options ahead.”
Prestige Forever was a $400,000 Inglis Easter purchase from Widden.
A $400,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Eric Yeung from the Widden Stud draft, Prestige Forever has now had two starts for a win and a second earning over $135,000 in prizemoney.
Bred by Anne and John McDonnell and foaled and raised at Widden, Prestige Forever is the third foal and second winner for Group III winning Not a Single Doubt mare Cool Passion, a half-sister to stakes-winner Havana wind from the family of Group III winner Headstong.
Cool Passion has not had a foal since Prestige Forever, but was covered last spring by Pierro and appears to be in foal.
Prestige Forever is the third stakes-winner and seventh winner for Ole Kirk, who covered his biggest book so far of 172 mares last spring.
