No stopping Swiss Ace
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Swiss Ace added another win to his tally after securing the Sir Byrne Hart Stakes (Noel Pascoe photo)
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Swiss Ace has returned north and nailed a home state win in the Group 2 Greenslopes Private Hospital Sir Byrne Hart Stakes 1200m.
The talented sprinter won the same race last year and after his recent southern success the $1.50 race favourite put in a strong run to create the back-to-back victory.
Ken Pope was again in the saddle and he ensured the horse shot straight to the front from barrier four.
They held the lead and in the straight as the challengers valiantly tried to catch him, but the champion sprinter held them all the way to the line to win by one length.
Sniper’s Bullet (Michael Cahill) placed second a length and a quarter in front on Red Element (Larry Cassidy).
“His run seemed to be pretty good to me,” said trainer Mick Mair who didn’t get to see a replay of his charge’s run because he had to get back to the Sunshine Coast where he had a runner in the first.
“I didn’t quite make it and got to the turn off,” he said. “Anyway it won without me.”
So Saturday, April 25 proved a successful day for the affable Sunshine Coast trainer.
Swiss Ace (H4 Secret Savings USA-Rapid Serve USA) proved he had enough left in the end to hold on and Mair always had confidence in the horse.
“They looked like they were going to get to him at the furlong and he just dug in like he normally does,” he said.
“He needs a little bit of pressure to make him to do his best. You can’t be disappointed when they win.
“He’s only had four runs back before that (Sir Byrne Hart Stakes) from a spell. Even though they were tough ones, he steps up to the mark all the time and he doesn’t mind travelling.”
Swiss Ace’s prizemoney is now nudging the $1 million mark and a continued Winter Carnival campaign could achieve that goal.
“I hope we get to the million,” said Mair. “He’s pulled up really well and everything’s okay so we’ll press on wherever it’s dry.
“He doesn’t like any sort of wet track. Even dead he doesn’t like that much.”
Swiss Ace got stirred up before the race and finished up very sweaty after the race.
“He’s getting a little bit more bully with each run but that’s not the problem,” said Mair.
“What happens is if he’s got horses either side of him in the tie-ups he’s alright but a couple went home just before the races and he got all excited and thought he was going home I think.
“He likes a bit of company, and he had two, one each side as I said, and they went home and he stirred up a bit.
“He’s been a good horse. He’s got a mind of his own though. I’ve had to change a couple of his little ways there but I suppose he’s just a boy.”
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Hollie Roberts – April 27
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