The rise of Canberra as a training destination was no better illustrated than by the performance of two of its stars in Group competition over the weekend.

Matt Dale’s Fell Swoop was beaten a lip in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield, while Nick Olive’s Single Gaze (also) placed second in the Group 2 Surround Stakes at Randwick.

To cap things off, Luke Pepper’s Appoint Percy duly saluted in the Highway Plate at Randwick as the market anticipated.

It has been a stellar a year for Canberra-trained horses racing in the city and with the promise of more highlights to come.

Dale says Fell Swoop will race next in the $700,000 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday 19 March and then possibly the $2.5 Million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 2 April.

And Olive says the $200,000 Group 3 Keith F Nolan Classic (1600m) at Kembla Grange is the next target for Single Gaze, followed by the $500,000 Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill.

Single Gaze has only saluted once, but thanks in part to Magic Millions riches has now accumulated $731,000 in prize money from 11 starts.

Fell Swoop has also had 11 career starts for 8 wins and prizemoney of $393,000.