Dawn Patrol wins Sweynesse Stakes Group 3, NZ$70, 000 at Arawa Park, 1215m.

OnceDawn Patrol got a lovely split at the 150m he drove through and put them away well for career win four and his maiden stakes win in ten starts, adding to his running second in last year’s NZ Two Thousand Guineas.

He was fifth early, improving to fourth (inner) at the 800m. In behind the leading bunch he turned in fifth with cover, was fourth at the 200m then presented with a lovely split, shot through and had them covered to the post, out by a comfortable three quarters of a length.

Princess Kereru was last in a compact field past the 800m, turned for home widest but one and kept up a strong run wide out to the line for second.

Midnight Runner was fourth, four deep at the 600m, third at the top of the straight and kept on really well for third from Donna Anne Billy who took over at the 200m and battled away gamely to hold fourth.