There was no doubting the talent behind his name, and Nepotism ($5) proved he’s much more than a headline act, surging home to win the Group 3 Baillieu Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday.
Trained by Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, the two-year-old colt by Brutal relished the heavy conditions second-up and put his rivals to the sword with a powerful late finish under Tyler Schiller.
The win marked a sharp progression off his third placing in the Group 2 Todman Stakes on debut and stamped him as a colt with real upside heading towards the Sires’.
Schiller, who was asked to ride patiently from barrier three, tracked the right horses before slicing through the field in the straight.
Once into the clear, Nepotism lengthened beautifully and quickly put the race beyond doubt, drawing away to win by 1.5 lengths at $5.00 with the top horse racing bookmakers.
“I was mindful not to expose him too early,” Schiller said.
“But once I got the run, he really let down. He’s got a big motor and there’s still improvement to come.”
Savvy Hallie ($6.50) boxed on gamely to grab second ahead of Tupakara ($6.00), who was solid without threatening the winner.
favourite, Next Jen ($4.20F) was caught wide and faded late to finish fifth.
The Hawkes team always had high expectations for Nepotism, who is closely related to Black Caviar through his dam Brigite.
And with a Group 3 now on the resume from just two starts, the long-term prospects are bright.
“He’s only a baby, but he’s a proper colt,” said co-trainer Michael Hawkes.
“We’ve got the mile in mind for him, and that win today gives us confidence he’ll handle it.”
With strong backing from the Werrett and Gilgai connections and an elite pedigree, the $11 at for the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) next Saturday now looks tempting.
Horse racing news