Sweet Sherry in Super Vobis Event

Swettenham Stud bred filly Sweet Sherry is back with a bang for the spring carnival following a runaway trial win at Flemington.

The Bel Esprit 3yo had been kept comfy by Damien Oliver in a hit-out down the straight earlier this month but exploded to a 6 length victory when cornering around the inside grass on Friday morning.

Sweet Sherry hasn’t raced since a brave run in the G1 Golden Slipper Stakes in March. She gave a tremendous kick in front at Rosehill and was only nailed in the closing stages to finish seventh.

Former trainer Brent Stanley jumped Sweet Sherry out of the blocks at last year’s spring carnival and was rewarded with a Listed win in the Maribyrnong Trial (1000m) at Flemington. Already a big, strong filly as a 2yo, she put on 60kg while out spelling.

Following Stanley’s suspension for the remainder of 2016, owner Steve Gillard sent her across the road to fellow Sutton Grange trainer Paul Banks. Before long, it was agreed the filly would benefit from a busier environment with Team Corstens at Flemington.

“I’ve been very happy since she arrived here,” Troy Corstens said. “She’s a no mess, no fuss filly and she’s got a winning attitude. She eats up and is furnishing into a lovely three year-old.”

Sweet Sherry will start first-up at Moonee Valley this Saturday. “She’s really coming to hand nicely and trialled enormous,” Corstens added. “We put the blinkers on for the trial and it really sharpened her up. She’s just starting to come on in the coat and is thickening up nicely behind.”

Swettenham Stud sold Sweet Sherry for $260,000 at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Premier on behalf of breeder Steve Lester. Her older half-sister Arinosa kept progressing with maturity and graduated to Group 2 victories in the Premiere Stakes and Sapphire Stakes at Randwick.

Swettenham graduate Ribbon Of Choice looked another promising 3yo winning first-up at Bendigo on Sunday. Local trainer Brian Gentle bought him for $50,000 from Swettenham’s draft at the 2015 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

He was bred by Julian Maycock, Ranjan Boopalan and Jason Singh who are long-time friends from their schooldays at Ivanhoe Grammar.

Ribbon Of Choice (Choisir) is a younger half-brother to LR Centaurea Stakes winner Blue Ribbon and his owners collected $35,000 in prizemoney and VOBIS bonuses at Bendigo.