Sustaining a strong sprint in the final straight to finish a credible third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) last time out, jockey Chad Schofield is confident classy three-year-old Sweynesse is in the right form to justify his continually firming Cox Plate odds and win at Moonee Valley this weekend.
Sweynesse currently features as $18 market mover for success in the 2014 Cox Plate. Photo: Steve Hart
Claiming four wins and the one minor from his five competitive starts so far, Sweynesse was allocated the reasonably wide and awkward gate 12 at Tuesday morning’s barrier draw but has not waned in the opinions of punters who have seen his Cox Plate odds cut from an opening quote of $34 to currently register as clear $18 market mover.
Partnering the Lonhro colt in a strong piece of work on the Moonee Valley course on Tuesday morning, Schofield told The Australian he is confident Sweynesse will have no issue in performing in the opposite way of going for the first time competitively in the Cox Plate and is exciting by the prospect of a second victory in the feature race.
“On his work today I’m glad he’s in the race,” Schofield said on Tuesday.
“He’s fit, well and got round the track no problem as if he’s been here a number of times before.
“He’s got a great attitude and he’s got everything to suggest he can handle a weight-for-age race like a Cox Plate.”
Comfortably winning the Blue Gum Forest Plate (1400m) by two lengths on debut in May before immediately returning to the spelling paddock, Sweynesse beat a talented field to the line which included the likes of subsequent Group 1 champion First Seal in the TAB Early Quaddie 3.y.o (1400m) first-up on August 30th before making a successful transition to black type racing in taking out each of the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) and Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) leading into the Spring Champion.
Required to carry just 49.5kgs, Sweynesse continues to offer punters great value for money at current $18 Cox Plate odds with Ladbrokes Australia.
