Dale plots autumn course for Fell Swoop after strong return to racing

Canberra trainer Matthew Dale will plot an autumn carnival-bound course for stable star Fell Swoop over the weekend, potentially pinch hitting races in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane along the way.

Dale was super impressed with Fell Swoop's return to racing and said if they'd drawn an outside barrier instead of barrier one they would've finished in the first two of the listed Absolut Stakes (1000 metres) at Flemington on Thursday.

Matthew Dale says Fell Swoop, far right, would've finished first two in the Absolut Stakes but for his draw.

Matthew Dale says Fell Swoop, far right, would’ve finished first two in the Absolut Stakes but for his draw.Credit:AAP Image/David Crosling

It's hard to argue, with the inside of the Flemington track worse for wear and tear on Oaks Day.

At one point you can see jockey Tommy Berry trying to bump his way across to the outside barrier, but Stephen Baster on Written Choice was bizarrely refusing to budge – despite Berry's repeated protestations.

"If he had've drawn the outside of the field and come down the outside there's no two ways, he would've ran first or second," Dale said on Friday.

"He's gone down under a length as it was. Really happy with his return."

It's an unusual preparation for Fell Swoop, with the seven-year-old gelding starting later in the spring than normal.

Dale was so pleased with how he's returned he doesn't want to turn him out to the paddock, but will instead look to plot a course to keep him up until the autumn.

He's nominated for the group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) in Perth on December 1, but Dale's yet to decide whether he'll run.

Instead he might have runs in group 3 and listed races every three or four weeks.

"I'm going to take the weekend to work out a plan of attack with him. He's up at an unusual time of year for him, being first-up late in the carnival," Dale said.

"He holds a nomination for the Winterbottom in Perth, but I've got to weigh a few things up over the weekend before we decide whether he considers that or looks towards spacing his runs inbetween Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane until we land into the early autumn."

Dale has a runner at Rosehill on Saturday – Man Of Peace ($11) in the benchmark 78 handicap (1400m).

He rates the six-year-old gelding a good chance, after the son of Zariz joined his stable from Wagga Wagga recently and has had one win and a second from his two runs for Dale.

Fellow Canberra trainer Joseph Ible also has a runner in Sydney, with Seeblume ($10) jumping in the Highway Handicap (1400m).

"Good chance. He's only had the two runs for me and he's won and came second in Sydney," Dale said.

"He presents in good order and he's there to run another very competitive race."

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