Swiftfalcon continued on an upward trajectory with a barnstorming finish from the rear of the field in the Chandon Hcp (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday to credit Vinery Stud’s Exceedance with his fifth first-crop winner.
Ridden by Jay Ford for Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes, Swiftfalcon dawdled along at the tail of the on the heavy track and only seemed to take any interest when switched to the centre of the track on straightening.
Carrying the colours of part-owner Rupert Legh, the son of Exceedance picked up the bit and rocketed to the line to defeat the Trapeze Artist filly Graceful Artist by a length with the Written Tycoon colt Sovereign Hill a length and a half back in third.
Swiftfalcon finished a troubled fifth at his career debut at Rosehill on April 27 and had excuses when second at Randwick four weeks later.
“I didn’t go out with any real plan as he drew wide on a heavy track,” Ford said.
“I would ride him how he began, and he did not go a yard in it. I had to keep encouraging for the vast portion of the race. He toughed it out and showed his class.
“I don’t think he handled the ground but got the job done.
“He is a talented horse; he was unlucky the other day.”
A homebred for bred by R & C Legh Racing, B & C Thoroughbreds, and Pulitano Thoroughbreds, Swiftfalcon was withdrawn from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.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 brother to Swiftfalcon last spring, Tempting Delight visited Farnan.
Swiftfalcon is the fifth winner from 15 runners for Vinery Stud’s Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Exceedance, who stands at $33,000 in 2024.
