Charm Spirit's Johny Johny Wins G3 Sweynesse

Media Release - Saturday October 21

A wide draw and an energy-sapping fast pace were not enough to stop Johny Johny in Saturday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

Johny Johny and apprentice Jim Chung power home in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.  Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The speedy son of Charm Spirit had some factors in his favour leading into the $100,000 weight-for-age feature – including the race’s postponement and relocation from last Sunday at Rotorua, where he had never previously raced in his career. Te Rapa has been a happy hunting ground for Johny Johny in recent weeks, and he has now won three races in a row at the Hamilton track.

But once the gates opened in Saturday’s Sweynesse, there was nothing easy about Johny Johny’s task. After jumping well from gate nine, he was driven forward by apprentice jockey Jim Chung, but found himself surrounded by others vying for the lead.

Advertisement

Is That So, Laneway Flirting and Packing Rockstar were all prominent in the early stages, and then Sassy Merlot charged forward out wide to throw down the gauntlet.

It developed into a duel between Johny Johny and Sassy Merlot, who eyeballed each other from the 1000m up to the home turn.

Johny Johny finally shook free of Sassy Merlot at the top of the straight and made his bid for glory, but his efforts began to take their toll coming into the final 100m. Beebeep, Habana and Tightlign launched powerful late runs and charged at the tiring leader in the final strides, but Johny Johny dug deep and clung on, winning by a head. The time was a quick 1:09.52.

Johny Johny has now won 10 of his 17 starts and $247,625 in stakes for Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter, who share ownership with their son Morgan.

The Sweynesse Stakes was the first black-type success for Chung, who was having only his fourth ride at stakes level. The 26-year-old has now ridden 19 winners from just over 320 career rides.

“I’m extremely grateful for all the support they (the Carters) have given me,” Chung said. “They’ve always supported me, ever since I first got to New Zealand.

“Johny Johny was just really honest today. When I saw the wide draw, I was a bit worried, but I didn’t need to worry. He’s just so fast, and all I needed to do was hang on and try to get him home. He has really good speed and always tries so hard.

“He doesn’t care if anyone tries to challenge him in front. He just runs his own race, even if there are others around him. He tried really hard late in the race today. I was confident that he could hold on.”

The Carters were delighted to give their stable apprentice the biggest win of his riding career.

“Good on him, I’m so proud of him,” Margaret Carter said. “I’m proud of both of them.

“We said to Jim that he would probably have to work for the lead, but he was going to have to try to put him there.

“This horse is such a tough little bugger in everything that he does. We might as well try for the Group One sprints over the summer months now – he’s very talented and he’s proving that now. To have 10 wins from 17 starts is brilliant.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Cosmic Vega Breaks Through in Kilmore Cup
A rapidly deteriorating track at Kilmore proved the winning formula for the Irish import Cosmic Vega (IRE) and visiting English rider Saffie Osborne to open their Australian accounts in Sunday’s $200,000 Listed Bet365 Kilmore Cup (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Sunday November 24
Here is the full list of 72 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Expensive Xtravagant Wins $1million Meteorite
The highest priced yearling by Xtravagant sold in 2022, progressive sprinter Nadal (Xtravagant) produced an explosive turn of foot to come from near last to win the inaugural running of today’s $1m The Ladbrokes Meteorite at Cranbourne.
$2000 Mare Wins Winton Cup
Exciting southern mare The Grey Goose continued her faultless preparation with an impressive performance to win Sunday’s Hyde Landscaping and Wash Rite Winton Cup (1400m) at Ascot Park.
G1 Pedigree Watch - Plus Up and Comers
The spring carnival might be over, but the G1 action is now in Perth and a Queenslander took the top prize and we are also looking at a few other stakes-winners that hold the promise of more to come.
One to Watch – Canberra
At the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast US investors Richard and Tammy Rigney of Rigney Racing purchased two yearling fillies by I Am Invincible for $2million and $1.2million and got a result with one of them in Canberra on Sunday.
New French Stakes-Winner for Churchill
Currently finishing his seventh season of shuttling to Coolmore Australia, Churchill has had a productive year and sired his 16th stakes-winner of 2024 when progressive three year-old filly Some Skye landed the Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau (1900m) at Chantilly.
Sun City Filly to Target Karaka Million
The Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) has been the goal for Sierra Leone from the moment she was purchased at the Yearling Sales, and she took an important step towards the $1 million feature with a game second in Saturday’s Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m).
Yulong Announce Sad Passing of G1 Winning Mare
Yulong released a video Tweet last week recapping their sensational spring carnival results and also revealing the passing of their dual Group I winning Frankel mare Hungry Heart.
Do Deuce From Last to First in Japan Cup
The visitors were once again humbled by the locals in the 44th running of Sunday’s Group 1 Longines Japan Cup (2400m) at Tokyo Racecourse.