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.