Close Second For Sweynesse On Return

Sweynesse ran very well on his first start since late October to finish a half-neck second in the Group Two Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes over seven furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, February 21.

The three-year-old Lonhro colt, eighth last time in Australia's premier weight-for age race, the 10-furlong Group One Sportingbet Cox Plate, broke well under James McDonald.

Sweynesse, trained by John O'Shea, was settled in sixth and then seventh with blinkers on for the first time as stable companion Meursault with Jim Cassidy up took the 13-strong field along.

Asked to produce a challenge with two furlongs to go, he was switched left approaching the distance and came with a strong run which just failed in a four-way photo-finish.

The winner Hallowed Crown's time was 1m 23.76s on good ground.

Meursault, headed inside the final furlong, finished sixth, beaten two and a half lengths.

John O'Shea commented: "This race was a real future stallion line-up and the first four to finish are all serious contenders for future stud duties.

"This was a wonderful start to Sweynesse's preparation and has laid a good foundation for the rest of the Carnival."

James McDonald added: "It was a great return by Sweynesse. He's back bigger and better, and will improve."