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| Staff Writer |
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That’s the situation Swettenham Stud finds itself in, as the Mitchellstown breeding farm is represented by three starters in the A $15 million dash for cash at Royal Randwick.
Masked Crusader, the gelded son of Toronado, had already been entered into the early slot negotiations with Max Whitby and Neil Werrett. Being runner-up in the 2021 Everest earns that type of respect and demand among holders.
Then, like a bolt of lightning, two others with Swettenham ties crashed the 1,200-meter party.
Bon Ho’s slot went to Shades of Rose, a 4YO mare who’s won her last two starts, including a Group 2, and Jacquinot, an unbeaten 3YO who’s stepping up to join 10 others in trying to take down favored defending champion Nature Strip.
Both Jacquinot (who grabbed the Coolmore Stud slot) and Shades of Rose were sired by Rubick, who has stood at Swettenham since 2021
Sam Matthews, general manager of operations and nominations at Swettenham, is excited at the prospects for the trio.
“It's incredible, such an exciting time for us,” Matthews said, “At first, we thought it would be just Masked Crusader. It just shows how quickly things can change.”
Of course, Matthews is ecstatic mostly with the reversal of fortunes with Rubick, whose prodigy took a beating last year at the racetrack.
“Rubick had a pretty tough year last year, he was a little bit quiet on the track,” Matthews said. “Then this year he has taken off. Speaking of Jacquinot, and Shades of Rose, just to see them make it to the field is great. At this stage couldn't be more excited.
“People have seen what we've been saying, which is that Rubick's is gonna come back and he's going to have this resurgence with numbers and he's still got the big books to come.
“It couldn't have been better timing and our fingers are crossed for the next Saturday,” Matthews said.
In many instances when multiple entries emerge with a common thread, such as owner/trainer, handicappers are often concerned one may get in the way of the other, or possibly serve as a rabbit to soften up a pace.
Matthews says that shouldn’t be the case with the Swettenham trio.
“I think it's fantastic that the three of them are never going to be in the same position at the race,” Matthews said. “If we've got a real speed battle, then probably Masked Crusader would be more of a chance."
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“If there's not much speed, Shades of Rose can probably get past them, she does have a little bit more distance pedigree in her. But, if there's enough speed but not too much, that would give Jacquinot a chance. So we've sort of got the army in the right places that gives us every opportunity,” Matthews said.
Among the Swettenham threesome, Matthews believes if rains around Sydney persist into the weekend, a heavy sod would best benefit Shades of Rose.
“I think it's a very big chance of a heavy track and that does happen to be the case, I think Shades of Rose is certainly the one (of the three),” he said.
Then, of course, the recollection of Masked Crusader almost nailing Nature Strip at the wire in last year’s Everest carries weight.
“Masked Crusader has the best closing speed,” Matthews said. “I think Jacquinot probably has the best burst of speed in that sort of final 150 to 200 meters that he has the best burst of speed. Shades of Rose can just continue to accelerate all the way through.
“So it depends on how far off they are. We’d love all three of them would be the perfect scenario.
“But I think if we had Jacquinot finishing (the quickest), I think he's probably the bottom of the best versus speed.”
“If there's not much speed, Shades of Rose can probably get past them, she does have a little bit more distance pedigree in her. But, if there's enough speed but not too much, that would give Jacquinot a chance. So we've sort of got the army in the right places that gives us every opportunity,” Matthews said.
Among the Swettenham threesome, Matthews believes if rains around Sydney persist into the weekend, a heavy sod would best benefit Shades of Rose.
“I think it's a very big chance of a heavy track and that does happen to be the case, I think Shades of Rose is certainly the one (of the three),” he said.
Then, of course, the recollection of Masked Crusader almost nailing Nature Strip at the wire in last year’s Everest carries weight.
“Masked Crusader has the best closing speed,” Matthews said. “I think Jacquinot probably has the best burst of speed in that sort of final 150 to 200 meters that he has the best burst of speed. Shades of Rose can just continue to accelerate all the way through.
“So it depends on how far off they are. We’d love all three of them would be the perfect scenario.
“But I think if we had Jacquinot finishing (the quickest), I think he's probably the bottom of the best versus speed.”