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Top-class sprinter
Swift Alliance is covering his first book at Akaroa Thoroughbreds in Grafton
this season.
Akaroa studmaster Brent Davenport stands him in conjunction with Gooree
Pastoral's Eduardo Cojuangco and Andrew Baddock.
"I worked at Gooree
about 20 years ago," Davenport recalled. "Andrew was there back then and
we've always kept in touch. When they retired Swift Alliance, I jumped at
the opportunity to stand him."
After his stint at Gooree, Davenport was based at Emirates Park, Reavill Farm
and Yarraman Park before branching out on his own.
"Akaroa stands on 120
acres," he said. "It fronts Whiteman Creek which runs off the Clarence
River."
Swift Alliance (pictured) (Don Eduardo - Visual Emotion by Silver Deputy) is by an AJC Derby
winning son of Zabeel, however, his forte was over short courses.
"He
could jump and then possie on the pace before kicking off the corner,"
Davenport said. "He used that tactical speed to full advantage.
"I guess he ran against pedigree but that should help his stock develop into
strong sprinter-milers," Davenport added. "He's a perfect match for
breeders looking for a BOBS stallion in the $5,000 range."
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, Swift Alliance won on debut at Canterbury in October
2008 and then doubled up at Rosehill the following month before going out for
an extended spell. He came back and put together a run of four wins
including black-type results in the LR Show County Quality at Randwick and the
G3 Hong Kong Plate down the straight-six at Flemington.
Still improving as an autumn four year-old, Swift Alliance scored a G3 victory
in the Sebring Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill before going down a half-neck to
Shellscrape in the G1 Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick.
"Gai told me 'Swifty' is a favourite at the stables," Baddock said when
the stallion resumed the following season. "Everyone there just loves
him. You would love to have a stable full of them. He keeps on
keeping on."
That was evident when Swift Alliance won the LR Razor Sharp (1200m) later in
the year at Randwick. "He carried 60kg but was relaxed and kept finding
the line," Waterhouse explained. "He's strong and powerful and that's not
a big impost for such a quality horse."
Nash Rawiller also rated Swift Alliance through the rafters when he came back
for a second Sebring Stakes last year. "This horse has a heart as big as
himself," Rawiller said. "We all talk about the champions we've got
around at the moment like More Joyous but this bloke is just a little champion
in his own right. He never lets you down."
Swift Alliance retired with 9 wins in 19 starts and Gooree is backing him with
their own mares like G2 Rosehill winner Precious Glitter (Danehill), Canterbury
winner Mountain Dew (Snowland) and Empire Express (Royal Academy) who is a
daughter of Moonee Valley G2 winner Beautiful Gem (Peintre Celebre).
He will stand at Akaroa Thoroughbreds for a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.
Broodmare owners can contact Davenport on 0438 412 929.
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