Hilal Puts his Hand Up for Golden Slipper

Emirates Park could have a serious 2YO colt on their hands, after Wednesday’s stunning debut victory of Fastnet Rock colt Hilal. Blessed with an exciting pedigree, being out of the Encosta de Lago mare Salma, from the family of Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice as well as fellow Gr1 winners Shoals, Al Maher, Umatilla, Platinum Scissors, Manhattan Rain as well as Coolmore’s promising young sire Rubick, the Hawkes Racing trained colt was given two easy barrier trials before his race day debut. Settling rearward, jockey Tommy Berry allowed the half-brother to South African stakes winners Trojan Warrior plenty of time to balance up, and once the field turned into the home straight on the Kensington track at Royal Randwick, Hilal took a little time to balance up, but once he did, he pounced on his rivals, chasing down Snowden Racing’s King Of Sparta who looked to have the race in his keeping. Co-trainer Michael Hawkes was suitably impressed with the win, “He’s a lovely horse and has shown us a lot at home. Tommy just had to wait on him as he had no other option, so if he hadn’t won, he would have been a good thing beaten.” Currently at $34 for the Gr1 Golden Slipper on March 20, the Hawkes team are forming another great arsenal with leading contender Remarque (Snitzel), an impressive winner on debut over last start Gr.3 Canonbury Stakes winner Zethus (Exceed And Excel).

Hilal is from the fabulous Redoute's Choice family that includes Shoals (pic: Steve Hart)