Ole Kirk is setting the pace among first season sires and added a new winner to his tally at Caulfield on Saturday with Sonofkirk producing a dazzling finish to score an eye-catching victory.
Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, Sonofkirk made his debut with a close third at Flemington earlier this month earning him favouritism for the juvenile dash over 1000m.
Sonofkirk found himself back in the field with a lot to do after turning for home, but charted a path between runners for Jye McNeil to zoom home and win by a long neck.
Stable representative Billie Rodda was thrilled with the win given it looked unlikely when he was slowly away and showed no inclination to muster early.
"It was a phenomenal win. He showed a super turn of foot," Rodda said.
"We just wanted to see him do something like that in which he has, so I'm not sure what the plan going forward is yet.
"We'll get him home and ensure that he's pulled up right, but he's a lovely two-year-old to be taking into the spring races as an early three-year-old.
Jye McNeil expected to be winning, but did not think the race would unfold in the way that it did.
"I was more hopeful that it was just a bit of greenness at his first start and that he's more educated from that," McNeil said.
"His reaction time was a little bit slow, but even his first few strides he just had no speed over 1000 (metres).
"I told the owners we were going to be on speed and be a good chance, and here we were near last, sort of ducking and weaving, but thankfully he was well enough equipped to go on and win the race."
Bred by Rheinwood Pastoral, Sonofkirk was bought as a weanling by Fernrigg Farmat Inglis Great Southern for $65,000 and was then passed in at Inglis Premier before later finding his way to the Freedman stable where he runs for a big group of stable clients.
He is a half-brother to stakes-winner Let Me Sleep On It and is the fourth winner from six to race from Cheynne Sue, a placed half-sister by Zizou to Group I winners Mazu and Headway.
Sonofkirk is the 14th first crop winner (one in Korea) for Ole Kirk, who stands at Vinery this spring at a fee of $99,000.
