Spring Classics Preview Day got underway at Flemington on Sunday with a winner that can play a significant part in the 3-year-old Classics.
Making his first start since a barnstorming win over 1400m at his 2-year-old finale on a heavy track at Rosehill in June, the Exceedance gelding Swiftfalcon made light of his 61.5kgs in the Living Legends Trophy (1420m).
Ridden by Jordan Childs for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Swiftfalcon was shuffled back in the field to find cover. With just two of the nine runners behind him on straightening in a slowly run race, Swiftfalcon launched down the centre of the track to defeat Athanatos by three-quarters of a length, the sixth consecutive placing for the honest I Am Immortal gelding. The Too Darn Hot (GB) colt Hot Majesty markedly improved from his debut at Geelong to finishing third.
While Swiftfalcon holds entries for the Caulfield Guineas and Golden Rose, Wayne Hawkes looked further ahead to the Victoria Derby.
“He’s a baby, just a big kid, Hawkes said.
”He’s only been here for three days; this is his first time in Melbourne.
“He was in the Guineas Prelude yesterday and drew the outside, so he was scratched. We thought 1400m at Flemington would be beautiful for him.
“He is a relaxed horse who looks like he will get 2000m. I would love to think he will get a mile and a half. I know his old man won a Coolmore, but with such a relaxed horse, they can get a bit further when they relax.
“We will poke along with him. It is only his second preparation. He has a will to win and wants to win. He would have won and won easily if he had jumped two lengths closer.
A homebred for bred by R & C Legh Racing, B & C Thoroughbreds, and Pulitano Thoroughbreds, Swiftfalcon was withdrawn from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the fifth winner from as many to race for the Northern Meteor mare Tempting Delight, a half-sister to the Group II SAJC Yallambee Classic winner Champagne Harmony, dam of the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Grace and Harmony and the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes runner-up Sezaanne.
From the family of Group 1 winners Champagne, St Reims, Charmont and Bonneval, Tempting Delight was purchased by Lynward Park Stud for $28,000 at the 2023 National Broodmare Sale.
Widdison Racing purchased her Headwater colt for $80,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and has been named Aqua Allure.
After foaling a sister to Swiftfalcon last spring, Tempting Delight visited Farnan.
Exceedance has made a brilliant start with his first crop of 3-year-olds. Vinery Stud’s Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner has six individual winners in Australia and three in New Zealand. The son of Exceed And Excel stands for $33,000 in 2024.
