Cranbourne based gelding Floatmyboat drew first blood in the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship at Caulfield on Boxing Day.

The Rod Griffiths trained galloper returned to winning form in the Equiano Speed Yearlings Hcp (1400m).  “Drawing a gate was the difference today,” the Cranbourne based conditioner said.  “He had been consistent without winning and always has a crack.”

Thursday’s opening heat of the Swettenham Stud Summer Championship saw Floatmyboat (10) receive maximum points ahead of minor placegetters Praesentia (8) and Too Deadly (7).  There will be a total of 10 legs before the Final back at Caulfield on February 1.

Floatmyboat (4g Pins – Julie’s Sailboat by Naevus) was a $110,000 buy at the 2011 NZB Karaka yearling sale.  He is a half-brother to talented off-shore gallopers Itmaybeyou (Singapore) and Happy Guys (Hong Kong).

The NZ bred gelding is raced by a syndicate that includes John Gay, David Simpson, Neville Blake, Shaun Frost, Oliver Kysela, Neil Leyden, Darren Hunter and Paul Johnson.

“He’s honest and was overdue,” winning jockey Ryan Maloney said.  “We had a nice run in transit and there was enough pressure to ensure a genuine speed up front.   He really found the line.”

Floatmyboat had won over sprint trips at Geelong and Caulfield this time last year and was being set for the LR Adelaide Guineas in May.  But those plans were shelved after an unplaced effort in the Bendigo Guineas in March.

The Swettenham Stud Summer Championship Final on February 1 is over 1600 metres and Griffiths is hoping Floatmyboat can stretch out to that distance this campaign.