Emerging trainer Dominic Sutton eyes Talindert Stakes with Swords Of Legacy

Trainer Dominic Sutton and Sword Of Legacy were on the wrong end of a gut-wrenching photo finish last start as they seek some consolation in the Talindert Stakes on Saturday.

A breakthrough stakes win would be just reward for young trainer Dominic Sutton and Sword Of Legacy after being on the wrong side of a gut-wrenching photo finish last start.

Sword Of Legacy charged at the finish in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) only to be denied on the post by a bob of the head.

The two-year-old Too Darn Hot filly, favourite to win the Listed Talindert Stakes (1100m) on Saturday at Flemington, was in front before and after the post in the Chairman’s.

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“I don’t think I’ll get over that until she wins a Group race,” Sutton said.

“Small margins makes a big difference in a number of ways (racing and breeding future), running second by a smidgen or winning.”

Sutton has trained seven win from 96 starters and 26 places including four in stakes company.

Sword Of Legacy, runner-up on debut at Flemington behind the smart Cavalry Girl, has continued to thrive since the Chairman’s Stakes.

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“If she brings similar form and performance to what she did at Sandown then she should be pretty hard to beat,” Sutton said.

“She’s got good ability … this is only her first preparation, so what she’s done has been pretty enormous already.

“You never know when these two-year-olds are going to put the flag up and say they’ve had enough but the signs are good from Sandown.

“If she can go and win she’s a stakes-winning filly and that’s a good job done.”

Sword Of Legacy (green silks) was denied in a photo finish by Inkaruna in the Chairman’s Stakes. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Sutton has Group 1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up Feroce in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) en route to the Group 1 Australian Guineas on March 1 at Flemington.

Feroce finished a short head behind Private Life in the Caulfield Guineas last spring.

The Super Seth gelding then placed third in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington behind Aeliana and subsequent Group 1 winner Another Prophet.

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Another Prophet turned the table on Aeliana in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m).

“We were pretty disappointed on the day (Carbine Club defeat) but he’d run a massive race in the Caulfield Guineas so he was looking for a little break after that,” Sutton said.

“In hindsight the form has been pretty good … hopefully he can go one better in the Australian Guineas.”

Royal Insignia is favourite for the CS Hayes from Sepals and Feroce.

Originally published as Emerging trainer Dominic Sutton eyes Talindert Stakes with Swords Of Legacy