Jockey Tommy Berry says a lack of race experience won't be a concern for the promising colt Swear in Saturday's Group I Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Swear will tackle the 2500m of the Victoria Derby at only his fifth start but no horse in the last 20 years has won the $1.5 million event with less than five starts experience to his name.
Tarzino (2015), Monaco Consul (2009), Efficient (2006) and Kibbutz (2007) all won the Victoria Derby at their sixth start while Monaco Consul was the last Victoria Derby winner to come directly from the Spring Champion Stakes.
Berry said the break, which has been cut from four weeks to three in recent years, was perfect for the Hawkes Racing-trained Swear.
"Most of his runs have been spaced out because he has been quite dour," Berry said.
"I think if you were to back him up too quick, if he was to run last week at Moonee Valley, he wouldn't have a turn of foot at all and that's a bit of a problem for him.
"The Hawkes team know their horses really well and they've spaced his runs to keep a bit of speed in his legs."
While Swear is lightly raced, Berry said the son of Redoute's Choice would have no trouble running the marathon journey for spring three-year-olds.
Swear will jump from barrier 10 but Berry said he would let his mount roll forward to race behind the pace.
"Outside of Sacred Elixir, it's a very even Derby. He's drawn the gun barrier by my bloke, there's one thing he will do and that's stay all day," Berry said.
"He's got good tactical speed if we want to use it from that barrier and the thing with the Derby is that short run to the first corner.
"It's an awkward bend but we'll press forward a little bit and hopefully settle in fifth, sixth or seventh and he'll be very strong at the end of it and the form stacks up with Yankee Rose really well.
"On Saturday, I'm on the right horse, I believe I am, and he'll be perfectly presented by the Hawkes team."
Swear has firmed from $11 to $7.50 in Sportsbet's Victoria Derby market in which Sacred Elixir is the $2.70 favourite ahead while So Si Bon is a $9 chance.
