Hobartville Challenge For Sweynesse & Meursault

Time/Date - 16.15hrs local time/Saturday, February 21, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Rosehill Gardens/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/7f

Three-year-old colts Sweynesse and Meursault go for glory in the seven-furlong Group Two Blackwoods CRC Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens, Australia, on Saturday, February 21.

Sweynesse makes his first appearance since finishing eighth in Australia's premier weight-for age race, the Group One Sportingbet Cox Plate, over a mile and a quarter at Moonee Valley on October 25.

The son of Lonhro was third over the same distance in the Group One Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes at Royal Randwick on October 11, and started his season with three straight wins.

He recorded Group Three successes in the nine-furlong Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on September 27 and the mile Coca-Cola Spring Stakes at Newcastle on September 17 to add to a seven-furlong handicap success at Rosehill Gardens on August 30.

Meursault, a son of Medaglia d'Oro, has his Group debut after making all of the running for a convincing win in a Canterbury handicap over just beyond six furlongs on February 6.

He had two appearances in handicaps at Royal Randwick at the start of the year, finishing third over seven furlongs on January 24 and taking second over just short of six furlongs on January 10.

Trainer John O'Shea reported: "Sweynesse has had two barrier trials and a gallop between races going into this event.

"We have added blinkers to his gear as we believe that is where his future lies and his next start will be a Group One.

"He is forward enough to run well here but his performance will be dependent upon the tempo of the race. If they run along sufficiently, it will allow the backmarkers to get home and he will be in the finish.

"He is going great guns and has plenty of improvement to come whatever he does here but I still expect him to run well.

"Meursault is a fit racehorse and, although this is a very strong race, I don't see a designated leader, consequently I think he can take that role.

"The rail will be out six metres and, if the track doesn't get too wet, it will be difficult to make up ground so we will be positive out of the gates, put him into the race and try to take it by the scruff of the neck.

"He is a galloper and, if he is going to be competitive at this grade, he will get his opportunity here based on the format of the race."

Sweynesse, drawn five, is ridden by James McDonald for the first time in a race and Meursault, emerging from stall two, is partnered by Jim Cassidy for the initial time.

The two Godolphin hopes take on 11 three-year-olds headed by Group One BECK Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win, Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes victor Scissor Kick and Group One De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose scorer Hallowed Crown.