New Zealand-bred galloper Kirwan’s Lane (NZ) (Charm Spirit) proved too strong in Saturday’s Gr.3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday for trainer John O’Shea as the gelding blasted past half a million dollars in career prize money when landing his first stakes success.

Ridden by Tom Sherry, who is now unbeaten in three rides on the five-year-old, Kirwan’s Lane enjoyed a good run behind the leaders before presenting at the top of straight but the apprentice admitted he thought he had gone too soon.

However, Kirwan’s Lane ($7) dug deep to win by a length from Hopeful (Motivator) ($21) with former Kiwi Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) ($19) in third.

The son of Charm Spirit has now won nine of his 30 starts and there are more lucrative targets in store for the horse that sports the colours of prominent owner Ron Finemore, who was keen to support O’Shea as soon as he announced his departure from a successful stint as head trainer for Godolphin in Australia.   

“I think he was one of the first horses we bought when I was back,” O’Shea told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“Ron is not only a good owner but a good friend who has supported me right through everything.

“I would talk to him a couple of times a day, and not just about racing but all things.

“When I was starting out again, Ron just said let’s go to New Zealand and find a good horse.

“This was one of the ones we came home with, and he has always shown that he could do something like this race.

“I’m really happy for Ron to win the big race on a nice day, because up until now we have had a character-building day.”

Kirwan’s Lane will now contest the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) with a view to landing a berth in the Big Dance, the new A$2 million race on Melbourne Cup day at Randwick.

“We are going to Scone and hopefully we can run one-two there and get into The Big Dance,” O’Shea said.

“We are really look forward to participating in that race on Melbourne Cup day.

“I don’t think he was overly comfortable in the ground (on Saturday), but he goes good enough to get through it.

“He has a great second-up record, loves a mile and loves Tom Sherry.”

Bred by Christopher Grace, Kirwan’s Lane is out of the Savabeel mare Galway (NZ), a sister to stakes winners Shillelagh (NZ), Tullamore (NZ) and Grazia (NZ).

He is a brother to the year younger Johny Johny (NZ), who recently won the Listed Power Turf Sprint (1100m) at Hawke’s Bay for Tim and Margaret Carter.

Kirwan’s Lane was bought for $170,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at Karaka in 2018.