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.