Hawkes Racing's three-year-old Swear remains undefeated in two starts after winning the Group III Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
First-up since taking out the Claret Stakes (1300m) at Hawkesbury in April, Swear was faced with a heavy surface for the first time in his career but handled the conditions with aplomb.
Jockey Tommy Berry had the son of Redoute's Choice travelling outside the lead before calling upon his mount at the top of the straight.
Swear ($3.80 fav) put in a sustained run to the line to score by half a length, defeating the Chris Waller-trained High Mist ($5), which was buffeted in the straight before surging late along the rails. James Cummings' Skylight Glow ($7.50) stuck on for third, beaten another short half head.
Swear marked the 11th three-year-old winner for the Hawkes Racing stable since the turn of the season on August 1.
"We've been patient, they've all started to step out nicely and it's working out well,” Hawkes, who trains in partnership with father John and brother Wayne, said.
"We've got the likes of Star Turn and those sort of two-year-old horses but these sort of horses they rise to the top (at three).”
A tall, rangy type, Swear is expected to improve over distances further than Saturday's 1400 metre trip.
"He's a stayer on the up. He covers a lot of ground and hopefully there's a lot more in store for him once he stretches out in journey,” Hawkes said.
"He's a nice horse on the way up.”
Click here for the race replay, courtesy of Racing NSW.
