Fell Swoop has returned to racing in particularly scintillating form this time and trainer Matt Dale has revealed he will re-assess plans with his stable star following an impressive performance for second in Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.
Trainer Matt Dale is yet to settle on the next point of call for stable star Fell Swoop this time. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Fell Swoop has been a standout for Canberra-based Dale through his entire racing career so far and has posted an impressive eight wins and three minors through only thirteen competitive appearances.
Given little chance of success in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) first-up this time, the Not A Single Doubt gelding produced an impressive late turn of foot despite being blocked for a run to finish an agonizingly-close second.
Savaging the line for fourth in the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 19th, Fell Swoop was again rated only an outside chance in the talent-rich TJ Smith Stakes on Day 1 of The Championships but appeared the winner in the race’s dying stages; beaten only by a memorable performance from standout sprinter Chautauqua.
Dale told AAP he had pencilled in a run in the 2016 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) during the Brisbane Winter Carnival for the talented four-year-old, but will spend more time coming to a decision following his TJ Smith Stakes performance.
“Brisbane has been on the radar for him but we will have a talk about what to do next,” Dale said.
“He is only lightly raced and still has a lot of maturing to do.
“He is not seasoned enough yet but is getting there and he ran out of his skin.
“We will look long and hard at what we do.”
Zac Purton delivered a gem of a ride on Fell Swoop in the TJ Smith Stakes and believes the talented sprinter will only continue to improve through coming seasons.
“Mid-race for some reason he grabbed the bit and wanted to get going,” Purton said.
“Matty didn’t want me to fight him too much and he said to just go with the flow.
“It was a very good effort.”
Ladbrokes Australia currently rate Fell Swoop an $11 chance of early 2016 Stradbroke Handicap betting markets.
