Swettenham trio set for Blue Diamond

Swettenham Stud has the most runners of any vendor from the 2015 Melbourne Premier Sale in this Saturday’s G1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

The Nagambie nursery sold Valliano (Equiano), Kinetic Design (Master of Design) and Sweet Sherry (Bel Esprit) twelve months ago and the trio have all qualified for the big one at Caulfield.

Anticipation is building at Swettenham ahead of the Blue Diamond and the 2016 Melbourne Premier Sale on Sunday. Their latest crop of yearlings arrived at Oaklands Junction earlier this week and they’ve been full-on with inspections for last three days.

“We started at 8.30 on Tuesday morning and they kept going without a break until 1.30,” Swettenham manager Michael Bolton said from Barn F on Thursday afternoon. “We have 36 lots and the majority have had upwards of 20 to 30 parades.”

Swettenham is using Thoroughworks, a new software system that helps them follow who has been inspecting the yearlings. “Our clients can keep track of prospective buyers without having to call us at Oaklands,” Swettenham’s Jess Galvin explained. “Among the most popular of our lots have been the Americain colt (Lot 452), Pierro colt (Lot 380) and Fastnet Rock filly (Lot 47).

The Fastnet Rock is a younger half-sister to Kinetic Energy who has drawn out wide in the Blue Diamond. She earned the first black-type for Swettenham freshman Master Of Design when placed in the LR Maribyrnong Trial at Flemington in October.

Another Swettenham yearling with a growing list of hits on Thoroughworks is the Equiano – Miss Valley Road filly (Lot 624). She is a younger sister to last-start RL Inglis Premier winner Valliano who is gunning to become the sixth Blue Diamond winner for Lindsay Park trainer David Hayes.

Swettenham owner Adam Sangster has focused his current yearling crop for the Melbourne Premier. “We wanted to sell in our own backyard and showcase close to home,” he said. “We’re excited to see how Americain will be received - this is the first opportunity to purchase his yearlings.

“Buyers have been going overseas for their stayers but now there’s a great opportunity to source our own with Americain.”

Pictured: Pierro half-brother to Trust In A Gust (Lot 380) has been very popular during inspections at Oaklands