A wide draw and an energy-sapping fast pace were not enough to stop Johny Johny (Charm Spirit) in Saturday’s Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa.

The tough and speedy son of Charm Spirit has won five of his last six starts, having some factors in his favour leading into the $100,000 weight-for-age feature – including the race’s postponement and relocation from last Sunday at Rotorua, where he had never previously raced in his career.

Te Rapa has been a happy hunting ground for Johny Johny in recent weeks and he has now won three races in a row at the Hamilton track.

But once the gates opened in Saturday’s Sweynesse Stakes there was nothing easy about Johny Johny’s task. After jumping well from gate nine he was driven forward by apprentice jockey Jim Chung but found himself surrounded by others vying for the lead.

Is That So, Laneway Flirting and Packing Rockstar were all prominent in the early stages and then Sassy Merlot charged forward out wide to throw down the gauntlet.

It developed into a duel between Johny Johny and Sassy Merlot, who eyeballed each other from the 1000m up to the home turn.

Johny Johny finally shook free of Sassy Merlot at the top of the straight and made his bid for glory but his efforts began to take their toll coming into the final 100m.

Beebeep, Habana and Tightlign launched powerful late runs and charged at the tiring leader in the final strides but Johny Johny dug deep and clung on, winning by a head. The time was a quick 1:09.52.

Johny Johny was enjoying his second black-type success and is now the winner of 10 of his 17 starts. He has won $247,625 in prizemoney for Cambridge trainers Tim and Margaret Carter who share ownership with their son Morgan.

“Johny Johny was just really honest today. When I saw the wide draw, I was a bit worried, but I didn’t need to worry. He’s just so fast, and all I needed to do was hang on and try to get him home. He has really good speed and always tries so hard”, commented rider Jimmy Chung.

Co trainer Margaret Carter commented. “We might as well try for the Group One sprints over the summer months now – he’s very talented and he’s proving that now. To have 10 wins from 17 starts is brilliant”.  

Charm Spirit, Invincible Spirit’s triple Gr.1 winner and successful sire, has enjoyed a great start to the new season with 21 individual winners in the first 2 ½ months.

The sire of 18 SW to date, including this year’s Gr.1 winning European sprinter Shaquille, Charm Spirit has eight 2YO’s catalogued for next month’s Ready To Run sale at Karaka.