Speedy Tasmanian mare Swift Force gave a huge sight at Caulfield on Wednesday in the $130,000 benchmark 78 MRC Foundation Pin & Win Handicap over 1100 metres.
The John Keys-trained daughter of Magnus jumped straight to the front under Craig Newitt and fought on tenaciously before being nailed right on the line at her first run back from a five-month break. She started the $3.20 favourite.
Keys will be hoping to go one better when Cartoon Graveyard tackles the $240,000 Group 3 Harry White Stakes over 1400 metres at the same track on Saturday.
The Turffontein gelding has campaigned with success interstate previously, taking the Murray Bridge Cup in a brief campaign with Will Clarken last spring and winning the Swan Hill Cup in June before heading to the paddock.
He draws gate three and will have the services of Newitt but doesn’t appear well weighted with just a kilo less than Group 1 winner Private Eye. Cartoon Graveyard is a $23 chance in early markets
Tassie’s top mare Geegees Mistruth will be more strongly fancied when she lines up at Caulfield in the $200,000 listed Alinghi Stakes over 1100 metres.
After sound fifths at Group 1 level in the Moir and Manikato Stakes at her first two runs this prep the daughter of Wordsmith looks very well placed dropping back in grade against mares.
With Blake Shinn sticking and despite having to carry a hefty 61kg, she looks the one to beat. She opened the $2.25 favourite.
The other story out of Wednesday’s Caulfield meeting from a Tasmanian perspective was the win of gun ex-Tassie apprentice Jabez Johnstone in the Group 3 $240,000 Coongy Handicap (2000m).
Johnstone had to work early to find the front on Ziryab ($5) but was then able to control the tempo.
The Kingman gelding showed plenty of grit in the home straight to fend off $3 favourite Darkbonee for a determined win.
Unfortunately for his connections, the Ciaron Maher-trained Ziryab bled from both nostrils and won’t be seen for at least another three months.