Kinane's reason for keeping faith is crystal clear

After all his years in the saddle, all his victories in great races, Michael Kinane must have enough crystal on the shelves at home to open a shop. At Sandown on Saturday it was a fat-bellied decanter, the winning jockey's prize in the 105th renewal of the Coral Eclipse Stakes.

Before Kinane's name was called as the pilot of the 8-15 favourite Hawk King, he dug the right toe of a gleaming boot into the yielding turf and said: "He hates it like this." Those five words contained all the anxiety felt by Ballydoyle-Coolmore axis towards the end of last week when rain fell in sheets on the Surrey course. Causing the overnight withdrawal of No Excuse Needed, the testing ground sent a shiver of concern through Hawk Wing's connections.

The report brought back by Aidan O'Brien after walking the course on Saturday morning did nothing to calm their nerves. In parts, particularly where the 10 furlong course straightens out, there was more give in the ground than the officially stated good to soft, soft in places. "I didn't like the sound of it," Kinane added.

As it turned out, Hawk Wing's first Group One success, vital to his future at stud, was achieved with little more effort than he is normally asked for in gallops but, unquestionably, everyone associated with the handsome bay colt was relieved to see him in the winner's circle. "It could easily have been a big mistake bringing him here," conceded John Magnier, while O'Brien did not lightly dismiss the suggestion that Hawk Wing might have been spared the task. "We were never entirely sure," he said.

No less than any other sport, racing needs heroes and so Hawk Wing's victory – speaking before the race, Johnny Murtagh felt that Hawk Wing at 7-4 to win by more than two lengths was the bet of the day – was enthusiastically received by punters who had not been deceived into opposing him. "Sheer class," one said when hurrying to join a crowd gathering around the winner's enclosure.

Towards the end of last year, the word on Hawk Wing was that he would add greatly to Ballydoyle's reputation. Even O'Brien got carried away. "Because I made too much of him, talking about the Triple Crown, I almost finished him off. It's not a mistake I'm likely to make again. Luckily, Mick (Kinane) minded him in the Derby once he was beaten."

Having selected Hawk Wing over High Chaparral in the Epsom classic, Kinane was equally relieved by the outcome at Sandown. When I put it to him that an ultimately comfortable victory made up for a big disappointment his face broke into a smile. "You have to ride with the punches," he said. "You can never be sure. I hadn't lost any faith in the horse and kept hoping that his defeats at Newmarket and Epsom hadn't left their mark. A horse with his action doesn't go well on this sort of surface. But wait until you see him on fast ground."

Not that everyone felt Hawk Wing's performance was thoroughly impressive. Held on cruise control behind Sholokhov, Hawk Wing was brought up the middle of the track when his stablemate dutifully conceded the best ground. Hawk Wing glided in to win by two and a half lengths without any questions being asked of his resolution. The suspicion that Hawk Wing might not have the taste for a battle is dismissed by Kinane as idle gossip. "He wasn't beaten by a gutsier horse in the Derby, just a better stayer."

Since it is highly unlikely that Hawk Wing will be asked to race over a mile and a half again – O'Brien feels 10 furlongs is his optimum distance – the next target looks like being next month's Juddomonte International at York. "The Breeders Cup is too far ahead for us to think about," he said.

At the calling of his name, Kinane stepped up to complete an Irish parade on the podium. A smile for the cameras. Another big win. Another decanter.