Hawkes’ winning two-year-old Swiftfalcon destined for better races in spring

Swiftfalcon settled back at the rear of the field and needed riding from Jay Ford just to stay in touch with his rivals before he was taken wide on the turn where he finished powerfully to win by a length at Rosehill Gardens.

Jay Ford rides Swiftfalcon to victory.

Hall of Famer John Hawkes endorsed Swiftfalcon’s emerging potential after the two-year-old scored an impressive win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

“Swiftfalcon didn’t handle the heavy going at all so he’s done a good job to win,’’ Hawkes said.

“He will go to the paddock now, we will give him a breather and bring him back for hopefully some of the better races in the spring.’’

Swiftfalcon ($6.50) settled back at the rear of the field and needed riding from Jay Ford just to stay in touch with his rivals before he was taken wide on the turn where he finished powerfully to win by a length.

Graceful Artist ($16) ran on well to claim second with early leader and race favourite Sovereign Hill ($3.10) fading to finish third, another one-and-a-half lengths further back.

The Rosehill opener was run in cold, wintry conditions but Swiftfalcon stood out like a beacon with his fast-finishing win.

🦅 Swiftfalcon swoops on them to take the opener at Rosehill!@[e-mail]/dOUxaaJR7w

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

But Ford revealed he had to work on Swiftfalcon early just to keep the two-year-old in the contest.

“I didn’t go out with a plan, on a heavy deck I was going to ride him how he began and he didn’t go a yard in it early so that took care of that,’’ Ford said.

“He was under the pump from the get-go. He really struggled in the ground and could never get footing.

“I was quite happy to ride him wherever he was but it was quite clear early that out the back was the only place we were going to be.

“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.

Swiftfalcon was impressive.

“He is talented. He’s got good ability and he’ll get better as he gets more experience.

“I’m sure he will probably run you a mile. He’s a not a stayer, but a middle-distance horse, that’s him. He has got a really good attitude, a really good head on his shoulders.”

Swiftfalcon, who is raced by a syndicate led by Rupert Legh of Chautauqua fame, broke through at his third career starts after luckless efforts at Rosehill (fifth to Ikasara) and Randwick (second to Aemelius) leading into Saturday.

Ford said Swiftfalcon, a son of former brilliant Team Hawkes-trained sprinter Exceedance, winner of the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes five years ago, deserved his win after striking trouble at Randwick.

“He was unlucky the other day because sometimes barrier one isn’t the best place to be and today he could dictate his own fate then let his ability shine through,’’ Ford said.

Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his sons Michael and Wayne, said Swiftfalcon will go for a spell and be set for the spring carnival.

“Swiftfalcon was gelding early to give him a chance to be a racehorse and he’s going to make a nice three-year-old, I’m sure he will run a mile, not a problem,’’ Hawkes said.

“His sire, Exceedance is doing a super job and will make a good stallion. His progeny will get better as they get older and horses like Swiftfalcon are going to make good three-year-olds.

“We have about four or five by Exceedance and they all show a bit of ability.’’

FLIGHTCREW TOO STRONG IN MIDWAY

Flightcrew continued her consistent vein of form with a resilient effort in testing conditions at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Flightcrew hugged the rails, did not go around a rival runner, and then showed admirable determination to fight off Rush Hour for a narrow win in the Midway Handicap (1200m).

“She was very gutsy,’’ Lee Curtis said of Flightcrew.

“But you have to ride her that way, she needs to be ridden with cover.

“Last start, she drew wide and we elected to go forward but then she doesn’t quite hit the line. If she finds cover, she goes to the line really ‘solid’ like we just saw.’’

It’s a tight one as Flightcrew wins the Midway at Rosehill! ✈️@aus_turf_club@[e-mail]/XYq7VIzl2p

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 15, 2024

Flightcrew ($6), ridden by apprentices Molly Bourke, snuck through along the inside to edge out Rush Hour ($19) by a short head with nearly two lengths to Cripps Tonite ($11).

Glenbower was the $4.80 favourite but appeared to struggle in the heavy track conditions and faded to run eighth.

Bourke said Flightcrew didn’t settle as well as she hoped early but eventually the filly got into a nice rhythm trailing the lead.

“When she came back underneath me, it enabled her to finish the race off strongly,’’ Bourke said.

“The claim (Bourke’s claim reduced Flightcrew’s handicap to 52kg) helped her to get across the ground.’’

Flightcrew was placed in one of her first five starts before resuming this campaign to win her maiden first-up at Hawkesbury.

The three-year-old filly by Epaulette has continued her form surge this preparation to win three races with two minor placings from five starts.

“Flightcrew is a beautiful filly, well-natured and very honest,’’ Curtis said

“Sometimes, a filly will have two or three runs in a preparation and then show signs that they have had enough but she is the opposite, she copes with the training, eats everything and loves her racing.’’

Originally published as Hawkes’ winning two-year-old Swiftfalcon destined for better races in spring