Tim Clark and Team Hawkes have teamed up to destroy their rivals in the Neville Sellwood Stakes as Zeyrek has cleared out to score a one-length victory.
It comes third-up in a consistent preparation for the now six-year-old gelding winning first-up at BM100 level, before running into Protagonist the in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes.
It was an elite steer from Tim Clark who settle towards the rear of the field, keeping note of a genuine tempo set by the newly Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained import Third Realm, taking up the running.
Sunshine Rising has put in another credible performance to find second after running into third in his previous two starts, while Gear Up did enough on Australian debut to suggest he can find a winning target later down the line.
It was all honours the winner though as Zeyrek circled the entire field to score a dominant win and can now progress to bigger options this time in.
2023 Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes – Zeyrek
Michael Hawkes spoke post-race representing the Hawkes team and was delighted with the win, eluding to how things just didn’t come together last preparation.
“Last prep never went right for us, everything went wrong,” said Michael Hawkes.
“This prep everything has gone so right, he’s just put everything up in lights. The horse, he’s definitely going somewhere, he’s a really nice horse in the making.”
He didn’t shy away from the possibility of heading to the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes either to take on Anamoe and Dubai Honour.
“Who knows?” Said Hawkes.
“He might run in the QE (Queen Elizabeth), it’s a race we’ve always had thoughts of. We tried to stretch him out over a bit of ground but he’s just got such a good turn of foot, he’s very explosive. Especially over 2000m at Randwick I think he’s going to be something special.
“I know it’s going to be a tough race, but it’s there we’ll just decide as we get closer. It’s pretty exciting to have a horse of this quality.”
Jockey Tim Clark spoke about his wide barrier draw and giving a big head start to some key rivals, but never panicked with the galloper underneath him.
“Obviously, probably my main danger had the ascendency on him early by being able to use tactical speed, Sunshine Rising, and put himself into the race,” said Clark.
“So I was spotting him a fair start but he picked them up pretty easily really. Just as I come out to get going the inside come out and forced me a bit wider, so a really strong win.
“Obviously returned a really good horse this time in, he’s been very consistent and racing really well.”
“I think that by riding him that quiet early he’ll show you that turn of foot. You use him up he probably races a bit keen and takes his finish away.”
Zeyrek is currently listed as a $51 commodity if he does head to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in two weeks-time.
More horse racing news