Team Hawkes confident in San Domenico Stakes newcomer

Wild Atlantic is preparing to make his debut in the San Domenico Stakes, aiming to mirror the achievement of his sire, Exceedance.

Exceedance captured the sprint race in 2019 during his third career start for Team Hawkes. If Wild Atlantic can emulate this feat, a path towards the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) could be on the cards.

Acquired for $320,000 at the Magic Millions sale, Wild Atlantic's physical appearance, reminiscent of his sire, caught the attention of his trainers.

"He was a lovely colt, and he actually looked a lot like Dad," Michael Hawkes commented. "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."

While Wild Atlantic enters the race without prior race experience, he has completed five trials, winning four. His recent trial performance, highlighting a strong burst of acceleration, has seen his odds shorten dramatically from $26 to $7, positioning him behind the $2.10 favourite Blue Door, the Golden Slipper winner Guest House ($5), and Warwoven ($5.50).

Hawkes acknowledged his eagerness for the colt's race debut, stating that the stable would not commit him to a Group race first-up without confidence in his finishing potential.

This mirrors their approach with Nepotism, who debuted at $41 in the 2025 Todman Stakes with a placing, before going on to win the Baillieu (1400m) and the 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."

Wild Atlantic will be ridden by Tyler Schiller from barrier four, seeking his first victory in this prestigious three-year-old event. Hawkes Racing aims for their fourth San Domenico Stakes win in the last quarter-century, having previously succeeded with Nostradamus (2014), Star Turn (2016), and Exceedance.

Consider the available racing odds for the San Domenico Stakes at leading Australian betting sites.