Swettenham Stud

Smiling Tiger has beaten Australian Champion Scenic Blast home to become the first Gr.1 winner for Swettenham Stud’s exciting young shuttle sire Hold That Tiger.

Trained in America by Jeff Bonde the lightly raced Smiling Tiger won the Bing Crosby Stakes over 1200m at Del Mar. Ridden to the lead early by jockey Victor Espinoza, Smiling Tiger took a two length lead into the straight and only Scenic Blast was able to mount any sort of challenge.

Smiling Tiger has now taken his record to seven runs without missing a placing including now secondary Gr.3 and Listed victories and Gr.1 and Gr.2 placings.

Hold That Tiger is currently in quarantine in Sydney after being extremely well received by breeders in France this year. He is available to mare owners at $5000 inc GST on an Early Bird Booking.

Victoria's North Eastern Thoroughbred Breeders will be holding their Awards Night Of Knights on July 31st at Shepparton.

A special attraction will be the opportunity for guests to be photographed with the 150th Melbourne Cup, currently on a promotional tour around the country.

The North Eastern Thoroughbred Awards have been held for over 25 years and showcase the value of the premium horses bred in the region by the thoroughbred community.

Sponsored by Swettenham Stud, Darley Stud and Blue Gum Farm, a feature of the evening will be an Auction of nominations to Bianconi, Domesday and Elvstroem, the proceeds of which will go towards ongoing promotion of the North East Thoroughbreds industry.

Guests will enjoy the facilities of the Eastbank Centre in Shepparton, with a promise of fabulous food and wine and sensational entertainment including a "Surprise Act".

Bookings for the event can be made by going to the web site at www.northeastthoroughbreds.mygv.com.au.

Having her first run in 46 weeks for a new stable, Tonic won her first Saturday metropolitan race in the $70,000 Glasshouse Café Handicap (1200m) at Caulfield yesterday.

Now trained at Ballarat by Darren Weir, Tonic remained rock solid at $12 with the bookies in a competitive betting race.

The grey mare was restrained by Steven King to settle in a midfield position from barrier 12 before being brought into the race on the home bend.

Live In Sin and fellow on-pace runner Big Spirit weakened prior to the final furlong pole while Altitude inherited the lead with only a moderate closing sprint.

That paved the way for Tonic to surge into the lead with 150 metres remaining with Rhythm In Paris rattling down the outside when it was all over.

Tonic ($12) defeated Rhythm In Paris ($6-$7.50-$7) by a head with Glaze ($8.50-$10-$9) a further 1-3/4 lengths away in third.

Tonic is a four-year-old mare by Swettenham Stud sire Dash For Cash who is one of many sires with a service fee under $10,000 this season.

She was purchased for $80,000 at the 2007 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sales out of the draft of Northern Lodge Stud at Eden Park.