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News

posted on 10 May, 2021

Sweynesse stakes double in Australia.

Leading trainer Chris Waller showed the depth of his team of fillies when saddling the first three across the line in the Listed Gold Coast Bracelet (1800m) in Queensland on Saturday, with all three carrying the (NZ) suffix.

Grace And Harmony (NZ) (Sebring) led home former New Zealand-trained fillies Signora Nera (NZ) (Sweynesse) and Only Words (NZ) (Sweynesse).

Ridden by James McDonald, Grace And Harmony forged to the lead with 300m left to run and staved off her stablemates, with Signora Nera eating into the margin late.

All three are set to head to the Gr.3 The Roses (2000m) in a fortnight’s time at Doomben before going onto the Gr.1 Queensland Oaks (2200m), a race Waller has won in four of the past six runnings, most notably with Winx in 2015.

A proactive ride by jockey James McDonald enabled Grace And Harmony to creep into the race before the bend, while both Signora Nera and Only Words closing off nicely.

“You have to have the right horses to do it and we pride ourselves on giving our fillies a bit of time and they seem to respond well to it so we try not to break too many formulas if they’re working,” he said.

Signora Nera raced previously in New Zealand winning two races and placing in the Group Three Eulogy Stakes.

Only Words also raced previously in New Zealand winning two races including the winning the Listed Wanganui Guineas.

Image - Signora Nera by Sweynesse.

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St James Timeform

Says of King of Comedy :

The Group One G1 St James’s Palace Stakes is the sire making race whose winners include King Of Comedy’s own sire Kingman as well as Frankel, Shamardal and Giants Causeway. While recent second placegetters of the race include current rising star sires Night Of Thunder and Toronado.

RaceNet - www.racenet.com.au/profiles/horse/press-statement

Says of Press Statement :

Given that it has won at Group One level and has amassed $1,832,275 in career earnings, Press Statement is regarded as an elite class of racehorse.

Henry Plumptre - Managing Director of Darley Australia.

Says of Sweynesse :

"These three colts are the best colts this year and there is probably a half-length
between them. It is fantastic."

James Mcdonald - Jockey

Says of Sweynesse :

"He was awesome. We got back in a slowly run race so his (sectional) splits
would have been amazing."

Michael Cox - Former South China Morning Post and now The Age racing writer saw Staphanos in the flesh on the track and in his impressive morning workouts

Says of Staphanos :

"Staphanos is a horse of substance, mixing toughness and a no-nonsense temperament in a career in which he raced and beat some of the best Japan had to offer. What a coup by Luigi Muollo and Novara Park to secure this stallion and what an incredible opportunity for New Zealand breeders to send mares to such a highly credentialed son of Deep Impact. He has the looks, pedigree and racetrack performances to be a hit at stud. He could be a real game changer and just the type of stallion New Zealand needs."

Hideaki Fujiwara - Champion Trainer Japan

Says of Staphanos :

“Staphanos had outstanding ability showing speed and stamina. He was mentally and physically tough. I expect his progeny to be the same!”