Trainer Matt Dale is confident the booking of globetrotting jockey Zac Purton will put Fell Swoop right in the finish of the Group 1 $750,000 James Boag’s Premium Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.
Fell Swoop, above, will be ridden by Zac Purton in the Doomben 10,000 at Doomben. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Hong Kong based Purton will reunite with Fell Swoop after the pair combined to run second to the world’s highest rated sprinter Chautauqua in the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on the first day off ‘The Championships’ on April 2.
“I’m rapt to have Zac back on board. His form says he can win from the good barrier and with Zac on board he’ll be right in the finish.” Dale told Racing Queensland News.
Purton replaces Jay Ford who has been on board Fell Swoop at his last two starts for a win in the Group 2 $200,000 National Fire Industry Association QLD Victory Stakes (1200m) at Doomben April 30 and an unlucky fifth from a wide barrier in the Group 1 $500,000 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 14.
Champion Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver had been booked to ride Fell Swoop during the Brisbane Winter Carnival but lost the ride to Ford when he was suspended for careless riding.
“Damien Oliver was originally booked for the winter but Jay got the call-up when Damien was suspended for the BTC Cup,” Dale said.
Dale said that Fell Swoop was out of luck in the BTC Cup and was caught three wide for most of the way after jumping from barrier ten in the thirteen horse field and is hoping for a better run from the inside gate in the Doomben 10000.
“He was caught three and four wide with no cover in the BTC Cup from his bad barrier and you can’t do that in a Group 1,” Dale said.
Fell Swoop took no harm from his tough run in the BTC Cup and Dale reported that the four year old has held his condition well deep into a long campaign that included runs in both the Melbourne and Sydney Autumn Carnivals.
As well as running second in the T J Smith, Fell Swoop was also runner up to Flamberge in the Group 1 $500,000 Clamms Seafood Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 27.
“He’s done really well and went straight back on his feed after the BTC Cup,” Dale said.
“He’s been up a while so I haven’t had to do much with him and he only has one gallop a week.”
Fell Swoop is well in contention for the Doomben 10000 and is on the second line of betting at $5 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
The Ciaron Maher trained Azkadellia heads the market order at $2.80 with Delectation from the Chris Waller stable at $5.50 ahead of Dothraki and Music Magnate at $7.
Doomben 10000 market order at Ladbrokes.com.au: $2.80 Azkadellia, $5 Fell Swoop, $5.50 Delectation, $7 Music Magnate, Dothraki, $17 Charlie Boy, $21 Two Blue, $26 Scarlet Billows, Hooked, $34 Divine Centuri.
