Connections of Sultan of Swin are eyeing a tilt at the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.
The seven-year-old gelding finished runner-up behind Melody Belle in last year’s Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate (1600m) and was set for a raceday return before Covid-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions put a halt to his autumn preparation.
“He is getting older, but he doesn’t seem to be getting slower,” Ritchie said of Sultan of Swing who was born and raised at Trelawney Stud. “He is racing really well. His last start he was second to Melody Belle who has gone on to perform in Australia.
“He is probably weighted out of handicaps now, so certainly weight-for-age or set weights and penalties races are likely to be his go for the season.”
Ritchie said he would likely kick-off his spring campaign in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
“I have yet to talk with Dominic Li (owner) about what exact races we run in, but he has got a good record at Te Rapa, so perhaps a race like the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) might be a race to kick-off.
“He could likely join in the series at Hastings. He is another one who would be hopeful that Jennifer Eccles, Catalyst, Melody Belle, and Te Akau Shark go to Melbourne or Sydney because that would make it softer for a horse like Sultan of Swing.
“He is probably a little below those genuine top weight-for-age horses.” – NZ Racing Desk
