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Son of Dabirsim stretches unbeaten record to three with Sandown win
The Team Hawkes-trained Pale King (4 g Dabirsim - Spring Stroll by Skywalker) preserved his unbeaten record when he recorded his third career win over 1600 metres at Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday.
The French-bred gelding opened his account for David Simcock at Lingfield in March 2020, before being relocated to Australia where he won his first start at Kembla Grange on October 10.
Ridden by Craig Williams, the gelding raced outside the lead for much of the contest, before quickening in the home straight to beat the fast-finishing Mrs Sippy (Americain) by a quarter of a length. Our Chevalier (Redoute’s Choice) was a further neck away in third.
Wayne Hawkes said the pleasing aspect of Pale King's victory was the way the gelding stuck his neck out and wanted the victory.
"Sometimes when you go super slow, it doesn't work well for you because they sprint up quick, but Craig got it centimetre perfect," Hawkes said.
"He won his first start at Lingfield and then COVID hit so they decided to sell him.
"We were lucky to get him because they were going to keep him and race him on for 12 more months.
"He's only a baby but I don't think you'll see him at Sandown too much more."
Raced in a partnership that includes Rupert Legh, Pale King is out of Spring Stroll (Skywalker), whose four other winners are headed by stakes-placed Dinner’s Out (War Front) - the dam of American stakes winner Miss Twenty (Bodemeister).
Further back this is the same pedigree as Grade 1 winner First Approach (Northern Fling) - the dam of Grade 2 scorer Alice Springs (Val de l’Orne), who in turn produced Listed scorer Spring Season (Seeking The Gold).
Dabirsim (Hat Trick) stands at Haras De Grandchamp and he has produced six stakes winners in total headed by Group 3-winning pair Coeur De Beaute and Different League.