The threat of a gelding procedure has been enough to spark the Gary Portelli-trained Iron Hawk to a debut win at Warwick Farm and earn him some much-needed brownie points with his trainer.
Portelli admitted the Written Tycoon colt had been a source of frustration, showing above-average ability on the training track but failing to replicate it in most of his five barrier trials.
As a result, the two-year-old was sent around at $41 for Wednesday’s Schweppes Plate (1100m) and Portelli’s expectations were further muted when Iron Hawk played up pre-race.
“This horse has been pretty difficult to get to the track,” Portelli said.
“He’s gone shin sore a few times. He has shown a lot of ability, he’s just done a lot wrong.
“Even saddling today, I had all sorts of trouble getting a saddle on him. He’s a robust colt and got pretty excited when he saw the saddle and then he got into the bird cage and he was quite coltish.
“I was concerned he wasn’t going to put it together again today and he was on the list for the vets, but the way he won, there might be a nice race in him because he still doesn’t know what he’s there for, but he’s got a big motor.”
Iron Hawk was under hard riding approaching the corner but responded to the urgings of Reece Jones to zip through along the inside and defeat Silmarillion($2.30 fav) by three-quarters of a length, filly Qatar’s Choice ($4.40) another long head away third.
Joe Pride also unearthed a promising horse in three-year-old Nosferatu, who improved from an unplaced debut performance over 1400m on the Kensington track to take out the Castelvecchio At Arrowfield Handicap (1600m).
Pride believes the son of Almanzor can develop into a smart middle-distance performer, comparing him to three-time stakes placegetter Titanium Power who took time to hit his straps.
“The last horse I had like him was Titanium Power, just a big, sleeping giant basically,” Pride said.
“They take a little bit to learn but once they put it together, there is a lot of ability.
“He is a gorgeous big horse this horse and in due course, he will stretch his speed out to 2000 metres, I’m sure.”
Pride brought up a double two races later with filly Ragga Ragga to finish on 46 Sydney wins this season and equal fifth on the premiership table with fellow Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker.
The Hawk swoops! 💥
Iron Hawk wins at BIG odds for @GaryPortelli up along the inside in Race 2 at Warwick Farm. pic.twitter.com/3hZMuxqWha
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 31, 2024
