General News
21 January, 2022
Swiss Hero conquers Camperdown
BALLARAT horse trainer Archie Alexander claimed his first Camperdown Cup last Saturday after in-form galloper Swiss Hero took out the $50,000 feature event.
BALLARAT horse trainer Archie Alexander claimed his first Camperdown Cup last Saturday after in-form galloper Swiss Hero took out the$50,000 feature event.
The six year old gelding won by half a length on a perfect track, with the triumph the fourth win on the day for jockey Declan Bates.
Alexander, a leading country Victorian trainer who is still chasing an elusive group one victory, said the win was a special for more than one reason.
“As a Victorian trainer, these country races are important to us, they’re important to the people in the towns, so we were really happy with the win,” he said.
The son of boom sire Pierro, Swiss Hero holds a special place in the heart of the Alexander family.
“He belonged to my late father-in-law, and he wears his colours now,” Alexander said.
“He’s become a real favourite with the family, pretty much a pet, so it’s a bit of a special thing for us.”
Having entered the event on the back of three race winning streak, Alexander said he had full confidence in both horse and jockey over the mile.
“(Swiss Hero) was in good form, he’d won his last three, and we had a jockey who knows him well, so we were feeling good going into the race,” he said.
“When you’ve won your last three you almost feel like it has to end at some point, so we were really happy.”
Alexander praised Bates, saying the jockey’s three wins before the Cup only heightened the team’s anticipation.
“Declan had a great day,” he said.
“(Bates) has ridden him four times before, and won two of those, so there was no real plan for the race.
“He always runs on speed, he doesn’t lead, but runs on speed.
“Declan knows him well, so we just leave it in his hands.”
The Alexander team had another win earlier in the day, with Bates riding Red Muscat to victory in the maiden plate, winning by three quarters of a length.
Other trainers to enjoy victories on the day included Mitch Freedman, David Brideoake, Wayne Walters, Carly Cook, Matt Cumani and Charles Cassar, while Nathan Punch, Jake Duffy, Will Gordon and Kate Walters rode winners alongside Bates.