New stars in making

TEAM Hawkes and thoroughbred investors Orbis Bloodstock are emerging as a powerful new force in Sydney racing.

North Pacific, with jockey Koby Jennings wearing the Orbis colours, became the latest promising colt to roll off the Hawkes stable production line with a brilliant win in Rosehill’s juvenile opener last Saturday.

The Hawkes stable, renowned for developing wellbred colts into racetrack stars and potential stallion prospects, have two rising three-year-olds owned by Orbis who could be anything next season – North Pacific and Doubtland.

“We have a few for Orbis, they are good owners, they have put a lot of money into this industry and are big supporters of Australian racing,’’ said Michael Hawkes, cotrainer of North Pacific.

“Orbis are entrusting us to select their colts and we paid $800,000 for North Pacific as a yearling and $1.1 million for Doubtland. They have two very nice colts for the new season.’’

North Pacific was having only his second start after his third to Farnan and Global Quest in the Silver Slipper back in February.

He oozed class and quality winning his comeback race and seems likely to join Doubtland and be set for the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 26.