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Class sprinter Fell Swoop will avoid a Sydney clash with Godolphin’s outstanding mare Alizee in the Christmas Classic at Randwick on December 29.
Canberra trainer Matt Dale has mapped out immediate plans for Fell Swoop after the 7YO gelding won his first race since April of 2016 in Saturday’s Listed Razor Sharp Stakes (1200m).
Dale made his decision before Alizee showed she was in great shape for her return to racing in the Christmas Classic with an impressive barrier trial win at Randwick on Monday morning.It was the second trial for Alizee since she suffered a bleeding attack in the early spring that derailed her spring campaign.
She had to serve the mandatory three months ban for bleeding but her two trials have shown she is in good order to resume racing.In her first trial at Rosehill on December 4 she worked home under no pressure for a soft second in a 900m heat and it was very much the same at Randwick today as she ran on from three lengths off the leader at the 400m to win her heat over 1050m under an easy ride from Kerrin McEvoy.
Trainer James Cummings is bringing Alizee back to racing this month as he wants the Flight Stakes and Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner to have a brief summer program to enhance her fitness for major goals in the autumn."She has trialled nicely. You like to see them come back and do that," Cummings said.
Meanwhile Fell Swoop will start off 2019 in the G3 Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day and from there will target the G2 Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley on January 25.Dale was delighted to see Fell Swoop win his tenth race on Saturday and first since he scored in the G2 Victory Stakes at Doomben in Brisbane in 2016.
The multiple G1 placegetter has won four stakes races with Dale certain he can add more black type in 2019.“He’s had a lot of issues but he’s in a good place now and going as well as ever,” said Dale, who prepares Fell Swoop from his satellite stable at Moruya on the NSW south coast where he gets plenty of swimming and sand work.