In Top Swing Takes Caulfield Guineas

Chief's Crown son Beautiful Crown collected his first classic success when his first crop son In Top Swing won the $1 million (Australian funds) Caulfield Guineas (Aust-I) at Melbourne Oct. 11.

In Top Swing won the leading Australian contest for 3-year-olds at a mile by three-quarters of a length. On the 18-1 chance, Noel Callow tracked the 5-2 favorite Exceed and Excel before dashing clear in deep stretch. He has now amassed $1.5 million in winning three from 11 starts. Time on a damp track favoring on-pace runners was 1:35.09.

Red Ransom colt Face Value (12-1) made up a lot ground to finish an also brave second. Nearest of the other 11 was 3 1/4 lengths away as 25-1 shot Kempinsky (by Danehill) narrowly gained third ahead of Ambulance (by Grand Lodge) and several other swoopers.

Guineas day wasn't a complete loss for Red Ransom. The Vinery stallion gained an unexpected success earlier when Halibery outsped multiple group I winners including Spinning Hill and Yell to win the $200,000 Schillaci Stakes (Aust-II) at 1,000 meters.

Red Ransom will work out of Dalham Hall in England next year in an arrangement between Vinery and Darley.

Beautiful Crown won six of 14 starts over sprint distances in Los Angeles and Del Mar before going to stud in California in 1997, the year his sire was lost at Three Chimneys after fracturing a patella.

He was subsequently sold to Andrew and Lasca Bowcock's Alanbridge Stud in New South Wales, but the couple had to resort to the courts to land him in Australia the following year.