Sweynesse & Malice Out To Star In Epsom

Time/Date - 16.00hrs local time/Saturday, October 3, 2015
Racecourse/Country - Royal Randwick/Australia
Surface/Distance - Turf/1m

Sweynesse and Malice each go after a first Group One victory in the The Star 150th Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick Australia, on Saturday, October 3.

Sweynesse (John O'Shea/James McDonald) kept on to finish sixth at the same course on his latest start in the mile Group One Colgate Optic White Stakes (registered as the George Main Stakes) on September 19.

The four-year-old Lonhro colt, a dual Group Three winner over a mile and nine furlongs, also made his seasonal return at Royal Randwick, when ninth in the seven-furlong Group Two Tramway Stakes on September 5.

He ran great races in Group One company at Royal Randwick last season, coming home second over a mile in the Girvan Waugh Randwick Guineas in March and taking third in the 10-furlong Moet & Chandon Spring Champion in October.

Malice (John O'Shea/Joao Moreira) makes his first start at Group One level and the five-year-old steps up half a furlong after staying on to take second in the Group Three Strathayr Cameron Handicap at Newcastle on September 18.

The son of Teofilo, a Listed scorer over 10 furlongs last season, trailed home last on his seasonal return in the Tramway Stakes but ran a better race to go down by a head in the Group Three Hyland Race Colours Doncaster Prelude over seven and a half furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in March.

John O'Shea said: "Sweynesse was extremely disappointing in the George Main Stakes - he has a gun run, travelled up but didn't let go.

"We have added a tongue-tie to his gear as we believe he is getting his tongue over the bit. I am sure that if he does let down, it will be no surprise to see him fight out the finish.

"His work has been absolutely brilliant. He is a very fit racehorse so we just have to get him hitting the line and hope that the added tongue-tie will help him to achieve that."

"Malice is a little bit out of his grade in this race but he does have a good record over the mile at Randwick and loves firm ground which he will get here.

"From gate one, he will get a gun run and I am sure he will finish in the front half of the field and lay a good foundation for the Seymour Cup."

Sweynesse (drawn 11) and Malice (drawn one), who both carry the minimum weight of 8st 11lb, oppose 13 rivals including Queensland Oaks heroine Winx, Caulfield Cup third Lucia Valentina and recent Group Three scorer Silverball.