With a half-brother about to go through the Karaka sale ring during the 2022 Ready to Run Sale, well-performed Karaka graduate Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit) collected his second stakes success in Thursday’s A$160,000 Listed Lander Toyota Ladies’ Day Cup (1600m) at Hawkesbury.
The winner of the Group Three Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) over the same course and distance earlier in the year, Kirwan’s Lane has now had 36 starts for 10 wins, seven placings and A$650,975 in stakes. He was bought by John O’Shea Racing for $170,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2018.
His half-brother, a colt by American Pharoah, will be offered by Kiltannon Stables as Lot 102 on the first day of the upcoming Ready to Run Sale on November 16.
Kirwan’s Lane was an impressive winner on Thursday, settling in fourth place before being presented at the perfect moment by rider Tom Sherry. He outfinished Momack (Uncle Mo) through the final 100 metres to score a narrow but emphatic victory.
“He’s a winner,” said Tom Charlton, assistant to trainer John O’Shea. “That’s 10 wins now, and he is a credit to himself.
“It got a bit sticky there, a bit muddling and he got himself out of trouble. Tom got him in a beautiful spot. It just got a bit tricky around the top there and in fairness to Tom, the runner-up probably wasn’t the one he thought he had to beat. Credit to the second horse, Blake (Ryan, trainer) did give it a big push, and it was a great race.”
Kirwan’s Lane will now be aimed at the A$1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange on November 19.
“We will hopefully get a bit of weight relief there and another big pot that we can target,” Charlton said. “There are a really good group of owners in this horse, led by Ron Finemore who has been such a great supporter.
“This horse turns up with a summer coat every preparation. He puts his heart on his sleeve and into every piece of work, which we have to manage. He just loves the game. He never leaves any feed and he is a real stable favourite.
“I am sure, when he finishes racing one day, he is going to enjoy lovely green pastures somewhere near Ron Finemore.”
Bred by Christopher Grace, Kirwan’s Lane is out of the Savabeel mare Galway (NZ), a full-sister to Group One winner Shillelagh (NZ) and stakes winners Tullamore (NZ) and Grazia (NZ).
Kirwan’s Lane is himself a brother to Johny Johny (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who won at Listed level in New Zealand earlier this year.
