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NZ Swiss Ace trial winner Swedish Duke scores perfect start on debut in Australia for Ben and JD Hayes.

Pictured \ Sire Swiss Ace (Lesley Warwick)

Duke Produces Royal Debut Victory

The wait for Swiss Ace’s son Swedish Duke proved worthwhile when he made the perfect start to his career at Cranbourne.

The Ben and JD Hayes-trained four-year-old was tardily away at the 1300 metre start before picking up ground quickly for rider Daniel Stackhouse to be a distant second.

Swedish Duke was asked for a serious effort entering the straight, and despite racing greenly he finished off determinedly to score on debut.

Bred by Gerry Harvey, the gelding had been a trial winner in New Zealand from Shelley Houston’s stable before he was privately purchased and is raced by Lindsay Park and partners.

Swedish Duke is a son of the unraced Sebring mare Tragic Love Story, who is a half-sister to the G3 Hobart Cup winner Bid Spotter, and she is a daughter of the G1 Champagne Stakes winner Isolde.

Tragic Love Story has a yearling juvenile filly by Redwood, last season foaled a colt by Redwood and is in foal to Tarzino.