Falcon as a yearling
In the end it was effortless, a two-and-a-half length ‘kill’ for Falcon who was making his three-year-old bow ahead of weightier targets in the spring.
The Peter Jones 50th Maiden Handicap (1200m) at Gosford (Australia) was earmarked as a suitable restart for a colt who, while he hadn’t won in two starts as a juvenile, had shown ability. On debut he was accounted for by the explosive G1 aspirant Anders before heading to the city and running a solid second.
A break, followed by three trials, was a suitable prep for his resumption and he showed good speed to allow star jockey Tommy Berry to comfortable control this affair before racing away as he liked. Berry had the luxury of cruising to the line on his mount with Falcon having his rivals covered early in the straight.
“Falcon won very comfortable today in great fashion,” said China Horse Club’s Michael Smith.
“He took up the perfect position from the draw rolling up to the front and getting a soft lead at a comfortable pace. Coming through the turn he was asked to kick and he did so smartly before being eased down approaching the line.
“This isn’t the strongest field he will face and he should have been dealing with them in this manner so it was great to see him do just that and in this style.”
Falcon will be allowed to come through his grades and find his feet under trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. The result continued the strong form of Snowden trained runners for CHC and partners. Since the new season, the flagbearer has been the indomitable filly Dame Giselle who strung together three successive G2 wins with able support provided by the above-average Bartley and back-to-back winner Rule of Law.
Falcon is a full brother to the now-retired Fell Swoop who matured into one of Australia’s leading speedsters a few seasons back. Fell Swoop won more than AUD1.8 million in a career that included the G2 BRC Victory Stakes among his nine wins and four G1 placings.
Peter Snowden
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