Canberra trainer Matt Dale finally has Fell Swoop back at the top of his game and isnt afraid of taking on comeback group 1 mare Alizee in the Christmas Classic at Randwick on Saturday.
The race wasnt his first option for the talented sprinter. He had the Standish Handicap at Flemington on New Year's Day pencilled in, but Magic Millions, in a way, forced him to come to Sydney.
Back to his best: Fell Swoop enjoys the Moruya River as he part of his preparation.Credit:Sitthixay Ditthavong
“Every major transport truck is going to the Gold Coast with yearlings, so we would have had to go to Melbourne early and spend more time than I wanted there,” Dale said. “So this race was always a fallback position, and it works well for a preparation that will go well into the autumn.
“We will get a good test against Alizee. Unfortunately, Hugh Bowman had been booked to ride her, so we have a change of jockey, but Tommy Berry is a great replacement.
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He's back: Fell Swoop gets a pat after winning the Razor Sharp.Credit:AAP
“I think the race sets up for him very well again, and the way he is they will need to be good to beat him over his favourite course – the Randwick 1200m.
"You dont often get a race of this quality at this time of the year, but it will be a good test for both of us. I would have liked a softer track, but I'm sure he will run well.”
Fell Swoop had not won in nearly three years before taking out the Razor Sharp at Randwick in impressive style on Villiers day.
The sprinter is back in the sort of shape that saw him run placings behind Chautauqua in two of his TJ Smiths. “We really hadnt had him right for a couple of preparations. There was always a niggle with his feet and that went on to become another problem,” Dale said. “In the time where he didnt win, he was running group 1 placings and taking on the best sprinters in the country.
“You cant be 90 per cent when you are doing that. He just wasnt right.
“He came back this time and just stretched out on the track. It was great to see, but you want that win to tell your not seeing things.
“It was so rewarding the other day. Now we have him back we want to manage his preparation into the autumn, because he can be competitive at the top level.
“He will have this run then go to the Australia Stakes at the end of January and then we might try him in one of those group 1s again.”
Racing writer for The Sydney Morning Herald
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