Swiftfalcon’s Resilient Win Sets Stage for Spring Racing Season
Rosehill – In a display of perseverance and exceptional horsemanship, Jay Ford guided the two-year-old Swiftfalcon to a thrilling victory in the Chandon Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens. This against-the-odds triumph has laid an important foundation for the upcoming spring racing season.
The Hawkes Racing youngster, priced at $6.50, faced a challenging start from a wide draw, struggling to adapt to the heavy track conditions. However, under Ford’s determined guidance, Swiftfalcon gradually responded, powering down the outside to overtake Graceful Artist ($16) by a length, with Sovereign Hill ($3.10 favorite) finishing another 1-1/2 lengths back.
“He was under the pump from the get-go. He really struggled in the ground,” Ford said. “That adds merit to his win. I know they’ve overdone it up front and we’ve run home in slow time, but he didn’t go a yard (in the ground) and he still got the job done.”
Despite clocking 1:28.08, well outside the class record set by the legendary Winx in 2014, the track was retrospectively downgraded from a heavy 8 to 9 following the race, further highlighting the challenge Swiftfalcon overcame.
Co-trainer John Hawkes is confident that Swiftfalcon possesses the attributes to develop into a formidable three-year-old, and the horse will now be spelled with a view to the spring racing season. Hawkes was also delighted with the performance of Swiftfalcon’s sire, Exceedance, whom the Hawkes team trained to victory in the 2019 Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“His sire, Exceedance is doing a super job and will make a good stallion,” Hawkes said. “His progeny will get better as they get older and horses like Swiftfalcon are going to make good three-year-olds.”
This gritty win by Swiftfalcon has set the stage for an exciting spring campaign, as the racing world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in the colt’s promising career.
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