A powerful late surge against top colt Broadsiding has given jockey Tyler Schiller confidence that Swiftfalcon has a strong chance to reverse the result when they meet again in the prestigious Group One Randwick Guineas.
In the Hobartville Stakes (1400m), Swiftfalcon was forced to settle at the back due to a wide barrier but produced an electrifying finish, closing to within a length of Godolphin’s standout three-year-old.
With a more favorable draw this Saturday, Schiller is optimistic about Swiftfalcon’s chances of challenging Broadsiding.
“I thought that late, he was stronger than Broadsiding,” Schiller said of the Hobartville Stakes performance.
“Obviously, he’s a quality colt Broadsiding, and he probably would have found a bit more if we challenged right up alongside him.
“I suppose we’ll see on the weekend. It’s going to be a good fight, and hopefully for my sake we come out on top.”
Broadsiding remains the odds-on favorite for the Randwick Guineas (1600m), with Swiftfalcon positioned as the second favorite at $4.
Drawn in barrier five in a nine-horse field, Swiftfalcon will start just outside Broadsiding, giving Schiller the opportunity to adopt a more forward position in the race.
“He jumped quite sharply in his trial from a good draw and then when he drew badly (in the Hobartville Stakes), it’s sort of his racing pattern but it wasn’t where I wanted to be. I would have loved to be midfield following Broadsiding,” he said.
“The draw on the weekend offers us a few more options if he jumps well.”
Schiller will also be partnering with Hawkes Racing in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m), where he will ride Airman. He believes the race’s tempo will play a crucial role in Airman’s performance after finishing fifth in his season opener behind Magic Time in the Expressway Stakes (1200m).
“They went very steady and it was a dash home. I thought for a fleeting moment at the 200 that he was going to go on with it and be right in the finish and he just got a bit tired late,” Schiller said.
“A bit more tempo would be lovely for him and he’ll be around the mark.”
Airman has shown a strong record when racing second-up, including a victory over Mazu and Bella Nipotina in the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last spring.
