Swiss Ace’s promising son Basel Warrior has earned an early call-up into black-type company.
The Jim Collett-prepared three-year-old was successful for the second time in his seven-start career when he defeated older opposition over 1400 metes at Trentham on Saturday.
His trainer is now keen to target the G3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa on April 26 with his Hong Kong-owned charge.
“We’ll give him his chance, his work has really improved lately and he’ll be even better as a four-year-old,” Collett said.
Despite winning his previous start at Taupo, Basel Warrior was sent out at long odds and dropped to the tail of the field before powering home between runners in the straight under jockey Leah Hemi.
“There was a lot of speed in the race and I said to Leah he’s got a good finish and he’s a long-striding horse so don’t rush him,” Collett said.
Basel Warrior settled last and when a gap opened in the run home, he needed little persuasion to charge through and score.
“We drew the outside barrier, so I was quite happy to let him flop out and follow them around and save the best for last,” Hemi said.
Bred and raced by Man Kon Lai, Basel Warrior is Postponed mare Mrs Schweinsteiger whose dam is a half-sister to the Listed Geelong Classic winner Milestone.
Also featuring in the pedigree is the Westbury Stud-bred and sold Viva Vienna, whose four victories include the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes.