3 minute read

The Gong is shaping as the next target for Ladies Day Cup winner Kirwan’s Lane.

Consistent campaigner Kirwan's Lane has captured his second feature mile race at Hawkesbury this year, lifting late to run down local hope Momack in the Listed Ladies Day Cup. 

Backed in to start an odds-on favourite, the John O'Shea-trained gelding gave favourite backers a few anxious moments when he was slow to quicken under his 59kg topweight, but he dug deep under Tom Sherry to reel in Momack by a short neck. 

The Frontman was third, another three-quarters of a length away. 

The victory continued Sherry's outstanding record on Kirwan's Lane, who he has now ridden seven times to four wins and two placings, including his brace of stakes wins in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup in April and Thursday's Ladies Day Cup, both over 1600m. 

"The race was run to suit us, they went a nice gallop and we had a beautiful, economical run," Sherry told Sky Racing. 

"He just hit a bit of a flat spot before straightening and then Jason (Collett on The Frontman) came with a really quick run and headed us. I was a bit worried to be honest but he's so tough and genuine. 

"He's been a great horse to me and he lifted himself off the canvas and really attacked the line." 

O'Shea's stable representative Tom Charlton said Kirwan's Lane was likely to have his next start in the $1 million The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange two weeks from Saturday. 

"He will hopefully get a bit of weight relief there and it's another big pot hopefully we can target," Charlton said. 

Momack ran the race of his life for locally-based trainer Blake Ryan, making the running and kicking strongly before Kirwan's Lane nabbed him late. 

Ryan was rapt with his performance, particularly given the horse was his first black-type runner. 

"Couldn't be prouder of him, he ran out of his skin," Ryan said. 

"It's my first runner in a stakes race and we've just gone down." 

It's another @hawkesburyrc feature for the favourite Kirwan's Lane, taking out the Ladies Day Cup!@tomo_sherry @JohnOSheaRacing pic.twitter.com/hw39MhKAal

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 3, 2022