Wild Atlantic is slated to contest the San Domenico Stakes, aiming to emulate his sire Exceedance’s success, albeit on his maiden race start.
Exceedance triumphed in the sprint race in 2019 for Team Hawkes after three starts. If Wild Atlantic can follow suit, a path towards the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) may be considered.
A $320,000 Magic Millions purchase, Wild Atlantic’s resemblance to his sire was a key factor in his acquisition by trainers.
“He was a lovely colt, and he actually looked a lot like Dad,” Michael Hawkes stated. “He’s done everything right. He’s just taken a bit of time, probably a bit like Dad as well. He’s had some nice trials, a good grounding. Yes, he’s in the deep end on Saturday. If anything, he lacks the race craft because he is obviously unraced, where a lot of these have started and they’ve won numerous times. But he’s definitely got the ability to be there. Everyone has seen that with his trials, and we have too. It’s more about him having the right run in transit. He’s drawn a good barrier to get that now, and he’s going to have his chance.”
Despite his lack of race experience, Wild Atlantic has had five trials, winning four. His latest trial showcased a significant turn of foot, leading to a substantial market shift from $26 to $7, placing him behind the $2.10 favourite Blue Door, Golden Slipper winner Guest House ($5), and Warwoven ($5.50).
Hawkes expressed his excitement for the colt’s race debut, indicating the stable would not enter him in a Group race first-up without belief in his potential to finish strongly.
The stable adopted a similar strategy with Nepotism, who debuted at $41 in the 2025 Todman Stakes, finishing placed before winning the Baillieu (1400m) and Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) in his next two starts.
“He’s a colt with a lot of raw talent and it’s exciting that he’s stepping out,” Hawkes said. “First and foremost, you’ve got to know whether they’ve got the ability or not. It’s not just throwing them in the deep end, it’s knowing if they’ve got that ability. We did it with Nepotism at his first start, and he arguably should have nearly won. He placed at massive odds then ended up coming out and winning a Group One mile at Randwick.”
Tyler Schiller will ride Wild Atlantic from barrier four, aiming for his first win in the three-year-old feature. Hawkes Racing is aiming for its fourth San Domenico Stakes victory in the last 25 years, having previously won with Nostradamus (2014), Star Turn (2016), and Exceedance.
Check out the latest racing odds for the San Domenico Stakes at popular online bookmakers.
