A slashing return against benchmark colt Broadsiding has jockey Tyler Schiller optimistic that Swiftfalcon is a genuine chance to turn the tables when the pair clash again in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
Swiftfalcon settled last from a wide draw in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) but stormed to the line late to get within a length of Godolphin’s star three-year-old.
From a better barrier on Saturday, Schiller expects Swiftfalcon to give Broadsiding a run for his money.
“I thought that late, he was stronger than Broadsiding,” Schiller said of the Hobartville Stakes run.
“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 is an odds-on favourite in early markets for the Randwick Guineas (1600m) with Swiftfalcon on the second line of betting at $4.
The latter has drawn barrier five in the field of nine, immediately to Broadsiding’s outside, and Schiller anticipates finding a more forward position from that gate.
“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 team with Hawkes Racing in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) aboard Airman and says tempo will be key to the sprinter’s chances following his first-up fifth 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 is a two-time winner second-up and he did claim the scalps of Mazu and Bella Nipotina when taking out the Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in the spring.