Dawn Patrol Wins G3 Sweynesse Stakes

Media Release - Saturday October 19

Enigmatic four-year-old Dawn Patrol made a welcome return to the winner’s enclosure when he took out the Group III Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) at Rotorua with a powerful finishing burst.

Dawn Patrol - image Trish Dunnell

Dawn Patrol - image Trish Dunnell

Runner-up to Madison County in the Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) last season, the Dawn Approach gelding had finished a disappointing seventh at Group Three level over 1400m at Hastings at his previous start.

Trainer Frank Ritchie gave him a few days off before targeting Saturday’s Rotorua contest where there looked to be a heap of speed in the race, a scenario he knew would suit his charge who tends to over-race in a slowly run contest.

Last start winner Pop Star Princess set up a solid speed in front with rider Jonathan Riddell content to position Dawn Patrol behind the speed where he received a cosy trip in transit.

Angled to the middle of the track by Riddell, Dawn Patrol burst between runners at the 200m to seize control of the contest as he held out the fast finishing pair of Princess Kereru and Midnight Runner to score a comfortable half-length victory.

“He over-raced at Hastings last time and I think the thing with him is that when he jumps good, he sees fresh air and he just goes,” Ritchie said.

“The reason we wanted to come to this race was that it looked like there would be high pace and when that happens, he can get onto the back of something and relax.

“That’s when he will kick and it that’s how it worked out today.”

Ritchie is keen to see his charge stick to the sprinting distances as he eyes up some plum prizes later on in the summer.

“Another reason I ran him today was with the nominations coming up for the big races over Christmas, the Railway (Gr.1, 1200m) and Telegraph (Gr.1, 1200m), to see if 1200m is his best chance.

Advertisement

“I think he can go 1400m again if he gets pace on in front, but we will see.”

Riddell was complimentary of Dawn Patrol’s performance after his disappointing Hastings effort.

“His last run, he probably raced it upside down and did a bit much early,” he said.

“He’s in good form and that was a nice race to win today.

“I thought they might have gone a bit harder but he relaxed nicely in behind and that was the key to getting him to switch off.

“He likes a bit of cut in the ground as well.”

Raced by former Auckland Racing Club board member Rex Jensen, Dawn Approach has now won four of his 10 career starts and a little over $205,000. - NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Sweynesse Stakes Gr3 1215m

Arawa Park Track: Heavy(10) Time: 1:17.01
1
Dawn Patrol
- 4g Dawn Approach (IRE) x Dazzling (NZ) (Star Way (GB))
Tnr: F T Ritchie Rdr: J K Riddell 58.5
2
0.8
Princess Kereru
- 6m Pins (AUS) x Fleur D'Amour (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: K & B Kelso Rdr: C E Lammas 57
3
1.0
Midnight Runner
- 5g Jimmy Choux (NZ) x In The Midnight (AUS) (Quest For Fame (GB))
Tnr: P & D Williams Rdr: O P Bosson 59
4
1.4
Donna Anne Billy
- 7m Tavistock (NZ) x Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: W K Pomare Rdr: A C Goindasamy 57
5
6.9
Pop Star Princess
- 5m Makfi (GB) x Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: F P Cornege Rdr: L H Satherley 57
6
8.4
Scarfi
- 5m Makfi (GB) x Splitfire (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: C Gibbs & M Bradley Rdr: R J Myers 57
7
11.2
Malambo
- 5m Duelled (AUS) x Dancing Song (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 57
8
13.2
Lucyinrio
- 8m Captain Rio (GB) x Forever Tango (NZ) (Sound Reason (CAN))
Tnr: Ms K A Little Rdr: M Cameron 57
9
29.2
Santa Monica
- 6m Per Incanto (USA) x Monarch (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: S Ralph Rdr: D A Mansour 57
More Reading...
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
It was all happening at the Rosehill trials on Tuesday morning with a runaway Golden Slipper winner, the first public outing of 2019 for glamour colt The Autumn Sun and a typically understated trial from the world’s best racehorse Winx who hit the line hard in third gear under a hold.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Best On Breeding
Just eight runners but what a quality field of three-year-olds Saturday’s $200,000 Group II Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens has drawn.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.