Trainer Matt Dale has revealed that star sprinter Fell Swoop is likely follow the same path through the 2017 Autumn Carnival as that which delivered several outstanding results this year.
Matt Dale will set Fell Swoop for Group 1 targets during the forthcoming 2017 Autumn Carnival. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Fell Swoop has been the stable star for the Canberra-based Dale throughout his entire racing career since debuting in the autumn of 2014; posting nine wins and a further six minors through only nineteen appearances; highlighted by several agonizingly-close finishes at the highest level.
Having run second in each of the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) most notably during a breakthrough 2016 Autumn Carnival preparation, Dale told AAP that while he is yet to confirm an exact path, both Group 1 races are again likely to figure for Fell Swoop in autumn.
“We’re yet to finalise that yet,” Dale said.
“Within a fortnight there last preparation we got beaten half a length combined in two $1 million Group Ones.
“That’s racing and it’s just good to be competing at that level so consistently.
“He’s right there. We just need things to go his way in one of these races where he’s had a little bit of bad luck.”
Having contested nothing over Listed level prior to 2016, Fell Swoop was rated only an outside chance of success in the Oakleigh Plate first-up this year, but mustered an impressive turn of foot to finish second behind Flamberge in a photo.
Progressing to fourth in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) following a luckless run in transit, the Not A Single Doubt gelding was beaten only by Chautauqua in the TJ Smith Stakes, before travelling north for a comprehensive win in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben.
Having clearly had enough by the time he finished fifth in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) and sixth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m), Fell Swoop resumed in spring for third in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m).
Beaten once more by the bob of a head when second to Rebel Dane in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m), Fell Swoop was last seen finishing third behind Malaguerra and Spieth in the Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 5th.
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