Connections are hopeful that Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup will be where Swingalong secures her first Group One victory, a milestone that has so far eluded her.
Trained by Karl Burke, the four-year-old has triumphed in Pattern races at both two and three years old, but has come close without managing to win at the highest level. Recently, she finished a narrow second in two consecutive races: half a length behind Khaadem in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot, and then just a neck behind Mill Stream in the July Cup.
Swingalong is now expected to head directly to Haydock on September 7, a venue where she finished fourth last year. Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, believes this race could be her moment to shine.
“It’s going to come,” said Robinson. “I would imagine she will be going straight to Haydock, I think that will be the main objective now. She’s very gutsy and tries her heart out, and I’m sure she will win Group One sooner or later. If she doesn’t do it this season, then I hope her owner will agree to keep her in training for another year because she will win one at some point soon.”