JUST as he did last year, champion stayer Swayzee struck the first blow on the Australian Grand Circuit with his off-the-canvas win in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Hunter Cup.
The was almost a replica of 12 months earlier when Swayzee led throughout to beat Leap To Fame, who sat outside him, and Kiwi star Republican Party using a cosy pegs run to finish a close third.
Swayzee became the first pacer since the mighty Kiwi mare Blossom Lady in 1994 and ’95 to win successive Hunter Cups.
When you put those alongside his two NZ Cups, a Victoria Cup and a Blacks A Fake, Swayzee’s CV sits along the great stayers of all-time.
Leap To Fame headed his older half-brother Swayzee on the home bend, but as he’s done so often, Swayzee lifted for driver Cam Hart and won by a half-neck.
“He’s amazing like that, but he does it every time in front,” Hart said. “I thought when Leap To Fame only got a head in front, that we’d fight back and I was always holding in the last bit.
“It’s just a privilege to drive a horse like this.”
Owner Mick Boots revealed there were times last year when he feared Swayzee wouldn’t race again.
“He got a bad bowel infection after going to Perth and we weren’t sure he’d make it back. That;’s why this win is such a bonus. I really though a top four finish would be a thrill after that he’s been through,” he said.
What a training triumph it was for Jason Grimson, who nursed Swayzee back to form and fitness and peaked for the race that mattered.
“It shows we know what we’re doing,” he grinned. “Even though he only ran sixth at Cranbourne, he hit the line well and Cam (Hart) and I felt he was right where he needed to be.”
It was the third time Swayzee has beaten Leap To Fame and the scoreline sits at 5-3 Leap To Fame’s way.
“He can’t go on forever and we know the party will end at some stage, but hopefully he’s got a bit longer left yet,” Grimson said.
“He’ll have another go at the Miracle Mile and I’d love to get him to the Brisbane Inter Dominion.”
Swayzee picked up 100 points for his opening leg Grand Circuit win.
He missed some key races while he recovered from the bowel issue last year and finished fourth on the Grand Circuit table behind three-time winner Leap To Fame.
The Grand Circuit moves to the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 14 and then the $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Cup on April 24.
POINTS TABLE
