The 3-year-old Exceedance gelding Swiftfalcon took another giant step in his fledgling career when putting a quality field to the sword in Saturday's Listed Drinkwise Dulcify Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
Ridden by Jay Ford for Michael, Wayne and John Hakes, Swiftfalcon drifted back to third last from an outside barrier. Switched to the centre of the track on straightening, Swiftfalcon displayed a blistering turn of foot to dispatch his overmatched opponents with frightening ease.
Sporting the silks of Ruper Legh, the son of Exceedance defeated the Trapeze Artist filly Pleasure Artist by two and a quarter lengths, with the Written Tycoon colt Media World back in third.
"He got into a lovely rhythm, and they went hard. He's a lovely talent, but he's still very raw. He wanted to lay in a bit, but he is very exciting," Michael Hawkes said.
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"The plan is the Spring Champion (Stakes). We thought about running him first-up in the Golden Rose but decided to take the easier option and head back to Melbourne. We thought this would be easier than taking on the Caulfield Guineas. The Spring Champion has always been there and he looks to be wanting 2000m, which is great.
"It’s great for Exceedance, and it’s been a great day with Ole Kirk (sire of Breeders Plate winner King Kirk). We feel like proud dads, really.”
A homebred for bred by R & C Legh Racing, B & C Thoroughbreds, and Pulitano Thoroughbreds, Swiftfalcon advances his record to three wins and a second from five starts with earnings of $329,400.
Swiftfalcon was withdrawn from the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the fifth winner from as many to race for the Northern Meteor mare Tempting Delight, a half-sister to the Group II SAJC Yallambee Classic winner Champagne Harmony, dam of the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet winner Grace and Harmony and the Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes runner-up Sezaanne.
From the family of Group 1 winners Champagne, St Reims, Charmont and Bonneval, Tempting Delight was purchased by Lynward Park Stud for $28,000 at the 2023 National Broodmare Sale.
Widdison Racing purchased her Headwater colt for $80,000 from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and has been named Aqua Allure.
After foaling a sister to Swiftfalcon last spring, Tempting Delight visited Farnan.
Swiftfalcon is the third stakes winner from the first crop of Exceedance (Exceed And Excel).
Vinery Stud’s Group 1 VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes winner stands for $33,000 in 2024.
