Sirenia joy for Sweeney

Rider Fergus Sweeney claimed the first domestic Group success of his career with a pillar-to-post victory in the totescoop6 Sirenia Stakes at Kempton.

Sweeney burst from the gates aboard Karl Burke’s 16-1 shot Philario and effectively had the race sewn up as the field turned around the final bend.

The only blip of the juvenile’s career had been in a valuable sales event at York last time and he kept up the gallop to hold the late challenge of Red Alert Day by a length.

“That was a great performance,” said Burke.

“I don’t know what happened at York – the ground may have been a bit on the fast side and Phillip Makin, who usually rides him, said he was never travelling as comfortably.

“He’s well entered up now. There’s the Mill Reef at Newbury and also the Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy to think about.”