Written by Paul Vettise
Trainers Leon and Troy Corstens have been forced to change tack with their impressive Bendigo winner Swats That (Shamus Award), with an initial plan to run for a $1 million purse counted out.
The father and son duo produced the filly for a lucrative first outing when she accounted for more experienced opposition in the VOBIS Gold Rush to earn connections a winning cheque of $137,500 and an additional $30,000 in bonuses.
In the wake of that success, the Flemington conditioners had their eyes on the $1 million Showdown at Caulfield on April 25, but further investigation has forced a new plan for the 2-year-old.
“We thought she was eligible as the stallion now stands in Victoria, but when she was conceived he was still up in the Hunter Valley unfortunately,” Troy Corstens said.
The stable’s attention has now turned to the second day of The Championships at Randwick.
“With the Showdown out, we’re looking at running her in the G2 Percy Sykes S.,” Corstens said.
“With the Showdown out, we’re looking at running her in the G2 Percy Sykes S.” - Troy Corstens
Swats That’s work at home and trials at Flemington had them bullish about her chances in the Gold Rush and she proved too good for Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) and Masseuse (Rubick), both previous race day placegetters.
“The Flemington trials are just like public trials and she was excellent in both of them. The confidence levels were good, but you still have to see them doing it on race day before getting too ahead of yourself,” Corstens said.
“She’s pulled up really well, she ate all but a handful of feed and is very happy in herself.”
Swats That winning at Bendigo
The quaintly-named Swats That is a sister to the two-time winner My Sweet Fish with their dam the unraced Is It A Mosquito (Danzig {USA}).
She is a half-sister to the G2 AAMI Vase winner and multiple Group 2 placegetter and sire Ustinov with their dam the former Australian Horse of the Year Let’s Elope (NZ) (Nassipour {USA}). Her 11 wins included the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double.
Oaks prospect
Swats That was bred by Dr Adam Gay, who remains in the ownership, and is also involved on a similar level in stablemate Lobster Noodles (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).
She was a winner two runs back and, although unplaced at Bendigo, did enough to continue on a path toward the G3 South Australian Oaks at Morphettville on May 16.
“I thought she had some excuses. She’ll have one run before heading across the border, but I’m yet to decide where that will be,” Corstens said.
Lobster Noodles is a half-sister to Skullduggery (Krupt), who won twice up to 2100 metres and their dam is Aqua Modern (Tiger Hill {Ire}), a half-sister to the dam of the Listed winner Doubtfilly (Not A Single Doubt). Aqua Modern is out of the G3 Prix de l’Opera winner Andromaque (USA) (Woodman {USA}).
