He’d been running around in races like the Villiers and the Goulburn Cup, but the John O’Shea-trained Kirwan’s Lane ($2.90) has relished dropping back in grade by posting back-to-back victories at Randwick in the space of six days.
He broke through on the course proper in a Benchmark 88 on Boxing Day, and has franked that form with an impressive win on the Kensington surface in today’s Maroubra Mile over 1550m. The Charm Spirit gelding was strong on the line defeating Purple Sector ($5) by one and a half lengths with Bigboyroy ($4.40) three quarters of a length back in third.
The five-year-old is now building up a handy record with eight wins and six placings from 28 starts and over $400,000 in earnings.
“If you had a stable full of Kirwan’s Lanes life would be really easy,” O’Shea mused.
“He’s a genuine conveyance, that’s now his eighth win. It was really rewarding for a great little horse.”
The six day back-up didn’t concern the Randwick-based conditioner, who believed it would actually suit his charger.
“He’s just doing so well at home, give him a chance to back-up and walk him down the road,” O’Shea said.
“I just thought he looked a little new in the enclosure on Boxing Day, you could see the run brought him on nicely,”
“So coming here today I thought he’d run a bit better, and I think he has.”
As to what’s next for Kirwan’s Lane, O’Shea has plans for races after the autumn.
“He’ll go for a little break now and he’ll be a lovely horse just to potter about Hawkesbury Gold Cups, Scone Cups after the carnival,” O’Shea said.
“He’ll go to the paddock with another deserved win today,”
It was another lovely steer by apprentice hoop Tom Sherry, who also believed the quick back-up was to his mount’s benefit.
“He’s backed up really well, obviously Mr O’Shea and the team has done a classic job,” Sherry said.
“I reckon he’s raced better today than he did a week ago.
“Today he took me into the race. He ripped through the line. He’s a nice horse going forward, he’s progressing really well.”