If you're ready to take on a dynamic role where strategic thinking meets cutting edge innovation, join us at Racing and Sports and be a driving force in shaping the future of digital marketing in the industry. Please apply here
or contact, roma.devi@racingandsports.com, for a confidential discussion.
The old Swettenham Stud Stks received significant upgrades from G3 to G1 status in the space of six years.
It was added to the number of open age F&M G1 conducted in Australia in 2005. Robert Sangster's mark was indelible in this neck of the woods and he would have been glad that the upgrade and the conditions alteration to WFA saw instant improvement in the quality of the contestants. Let's see those lovely ladies who've taken out the race recently.
• 2006 – ELLICORSAM 5m (Fimiston x Premium Gold) ($8)
Jockey: Danny Nikolic, Trainer: Lee Freedman
Barrier: 6, Weight: 55.0kg
Gross Time: 1:09.37, 600m Sectional: 34.31
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Good, Starters: 17
2nd: Social Glow (55.0kg), 3rd: Truly Wicked (55.0kg)
Elliscorsam was one of the Lee Freedman list of winners Photo by Racing and Sports Ellicorsam was an experienced Western Australian mare. She was going that well 15 months earlier that she ran even money favourite in the Railway but missed the start. After another 12 months in Perth, owners made the call to give her the chance with Lee Freedman. A first up 8th in a Listed Race at Caulfield could hardly have shown what was to come. But her next start at Mornington in the Hareeba Stks, where she got back to her old ways of leading throughout, indicated she had finally settled into the Rye property. With this race as an option to improve her broodmare prospects, she arrived in Adelaide as one of the chances but not even Freedman's market elect in the race. Danny Nikolic got her going out of the gates and she led exactly how she wanted. When she ran home in 34 and change, the rest had no hope and her connections got the perfect result.
Universal Queen was a superbly bred G1 winner Photo by Racing and Sports Lee Freedman must have been just pencilling in this race every year. After Alinghi and Ellicrosam, he aimed his good sprinting ladies at this G1. But this was a very important race for Universal Queen's future as she was a full sister to Universal Prince and G1 glory was a necessity. Hence the owners, including Singo, sent the filly to Lee from Bede Murray with the thought she needed a country environment and liked the left handed tracks. Her campaign began with a massive plunge at Moonee Valley when she was 10-1 into under 3-1 in the Vanity but when beaten at the 1500 next start, Freedman believed she was best fresh and as a sprinter. They scored with her in the Yallambee Classic and a repeat was no surprise five weeks later. She pinged out to find the fence but popped off, taking the sit on Catechuchu. On turning, Brown wasn't going to find out how she went when challenged as she got 3L in front and was home. It took another addition to the stable in Media run home for 2nd. Two more starts would see injury head to the barn.
Sadly Juste Momente died not long after her G1 win Photo by Racing and Sports So again Lee marked down the Sangster as a perfect way to get Miss Andretti going after the disappointment of the Hong Kong experience. This was a mare who'd get 63+kg if it were a handicap getting in with 56 was a doddle – wasn't it? Well Danny O'Brien had other ideas. He had the grey mare Juste Momente coming off a solid but not spectacular Spring and having tried her over greater distances in the past, she was brought back to the sprint journey. In the event, Miss Andretti led until the flying machine Bel Mer used her speed to roll forward. On the point of the turn, Bel Mer eased six wide into better going but Newitt on Miss Andretti rolled back to the fence where she quickened and put 3L on the field. Now usually the race would be over but the great mare must surely have had a life as a mum in her mind and she gave up at the 200. The placegetters swamped her out wide with Juste Momente charging from last on the turn. With no further luck she was retired to stud but very sadly died of a colic attack.
• 2009 – BEL MER 4m (Bel Esprit x Drop Anchor) ($8)
Jockey: Craig Newitt, Trainer: Mick Price
Barrier: 13, Weight: 56.5kg
Gross Time: 1:09.51, 600m Sectional: 34.20
Margin: 1L, Track: Good, Starters: 18
2nd: Hidden Energy (56.5kg), 3rd: Impressive Eagle (54.0kg)
Bel Mer was a flying machine Photo by Racing and Sports Bel Mer was an honest little mare who had had trouble running the 1200m out strongly in good company in Melbourne. And she always seemed to find one better. But the one thing she was masterful at was going first up. After a scintillating trial at Cranbourne, she was given a big hope if she ran the trip. Sugar Babe led from Viking Turf Belle and Newitt placed Bel Mer right behind them, smoking the pipe. He pushed her out and took off at the 300 putting a big margin in them. She did weaken late but who cares – she got her G1 which is critical as a broodmare. It was a great day for Mick Price who was winning races all around the country including two G1s on this program. Bel Mer was then tested in the TJ Smith but was outclassed.
• 2010 – ROSTOVA 3f (Testa Rossa x Space Talk) ($21)
Rostova scored a surprise win Photo by Racing and Sports In a traditional 1200m sprint at Morphettville there were plenty of chances and it was always going to be luck playing its role. That was probably how Rostova was going to win a G1. She hadn't won a race since twelve months ago in the VRC Sires when in front. But in this race she was back near last. Avenue and Madame Pedrille took them out but there were plenty for attention. Coming to the turn and there were many stretched across the track. As they fanned Rostova got up the inside and saved so much territory. Velocitea looked the winner sweeping out wide but she couldn't withstand the Testa Rossa filly. She also ran well doing a similar thing in the Galaxy in Sydney.
RACE PROFILE
o This race used to be the Swettenham Stud Stks at G3 level then G2 until it gained G1 status in 2005.
o Lee Freedman liked the idea of the changes – he won the first 3 runnings of the race at G1 and had Miss Andretti run at 5-2on only for her to show her decline with a poor 4th.
o Been a good race for the favourites.
o Leaders have won on a few occasions but Juste Momente came from last in '08.
o Wide barriers mean absolutely nothing in this race – the dog leg 1200 probably contributes to that like the Caulfield sprint journey.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner – 4yo (5 times)
o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <13-16> - 4 times
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $10
o Breakdown of winners – 4 fillies & 6 mares
o Last 10 Years Yallambee Stks / Sangster Stks double – Universal Queen ('07)
o Last 10 Years Vanity Stks / Sangster Stks double – Universal Queen ('07)
o Last 10 Years Hareeba Stks / Sangster Stks double – Ellicorsam ('06)
o Last 10 Years Kevin Hayes Stks / Sangster Stks double – French Bid ('04)
SUMMARY & SELECTIONS
This race is hard to predict given the scratchings likely with the William Reid having a few dual acceptors.
What an honest mare Beaded is Photo by Racing and Sports
The smaller field is a little surprising as you'd think a few would be keen to dodge Black Caviar and this is a mares G1.
Avenue, Dubleanny and Miss Octopussy are likely on pacers.
How do you go past Beaded. If ever a mare deserved a major it is her. She is as honest as they come and was brave in the Newmarket to work home for third.
This would have been her aim and one thing is for sure. Doubt she'll miss a place – only once in 18 starts.
Response was behind her in the Newmarket and should have won the Oakleigh Plate. Outside draws won't hurt from the dogleg start and they tend to fan on this day each year.
Varenna Miss is likely to be good odds and all three runs this campaign have been excellent. She gets a charmed run from the gate and S King won this last year.
