Sweynesse wins 2014 Coca-Cola Spring Stakes Group 3 $125,000 at Newcastle (NSW) 3yo, 1600m.
Godolphin’s promising colt Sweynesse is now unbeaten in three starts. He settled back in eighth place, one off the rails, following an average early tempo (first 1000m 62.57). He then commenced a good run on rounding the home turn, got to fourth at the 200m and hit the lead at the 100m going on to win with something in hand by a long neck. He is a smart colt, looks suited to further still, and appears a very good prospect for the upcoming Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).
Pounamu, having his third start this preparation, put up a good effort for second stepping up to 1600m here. He travelled well in seventh place on the rails, got through to fifth at the 200m before switching wide. He then came with a strong late run for second, beaten a long neck, also looking a good prospect for the longer distance three-year-old stakes races.
Monteux was fourth, one out and one back, before moving up three wide at the turn. He challenged at the 200m and kept fighting on nicely for a sound third.
Hampton Court led the field to the 200m and held on quite well for fourth, beaten two lengths while the filly High Above was second to the 600m before moving up outside the leader nearing the turn. She challenged at the 200m but tired a little from that point to finish (2.4 lengths) fifth.
