The 'Two Horse' Spring Champion

Published: 11 Oct 2014

A target on her back - Sweynesse's rider Blake Shinn paid too much attention to the star filly First Seal

The old 'two horse race' scenario presented itself for the running of the Spring Champion Stakes over 2000m at Royal Randwick, with impressive type First Seal and the undefeated Swaynesse dominating the market. But the punters result was not to be with the strong heavy-set colt Hampton Court storming home from the rear to make it another major for his sire Redoutes Choice, adding to his future stallion prospects. 

While Panzer Division went hard up front at a testing tempo, both of the favourites enjoyed nice runs in behind the speed. Incredibly, Blake Shinn decided to take off early on Sweynesse, getting around First Seal and hitting the front a long way from home. First Seal, after getting a couple of reminders on the turn, then responded and these two looked set to fight out the finish down the testing Randwick straight. However Shinn and Collett didn't bargain for the impact such a fierce battle would have on their horses as their tussle soon became for second place. Hampton Court stoked up late and surged past them down the centre of the track., taking advantage of the fierce tempo up front.

The winner was yet another tough Gai Waterhouse horse that lifted over the concluding stages, showing the toughness that results from her 'muscle and bone' training regime. For the beaten brigade, there is no respect lost for the favourites, but Tye Angland on Panzer Division and Blake Shinn on Sweynesse produced rides they would like to forget.