Swayzee after winning the 2026 Hunter Cup Photo by Stuart McCormick
DUAL Hunter Cup hero Swayzee faces a huge task just to qualify for the $1 million Miracle Mile from a horror draw in the $75,000 Bioworma Sprint at Menangle on Saturday night.
The champion stayer drew the extreme outside (gate 12, but comes into 10) in a star-studded race where only a top two finish will guarantee him a spot in the eight-horse Miracle Mile field on March 14.
Regular driver Cam Hart said he would talk with trainer Jason Grimson before deciding whether he will partner Swayzee or boom stablemate Rakero Rocket, who is drawn much better in gate five.
For all his mega wins, including the two Hunter Cups, two NZ Cups and a Victoria Cup, Swayzee has only one once in four 1609m starts at Menangle.
In his past three tries, the eight-year-old has finished third, sixth and fourth.
But Swayzee’s one 1609m win at Menangle did come in the same qualifying sprint at this race last year.
He then followed-up with a luckless fourth, when held-up at a crucial stage, to Don Hugo in the Miracle Mile.
Outside of Rakero Rocket, there are plenty of other major rivals for Swayzee on Saturday night, including NZ and Victoria Cup winner Kingman (gate eight), emerging Queensland star The Janitor (one), classy Kiwi Pinseeker (two) and champion mare Eye Keep Smiling (three).
A top three finish would likely see him get a Miracle Mile start given the club has discretionary powers over the last two spots in the field.
Last week’s Group 1 Newcastle Mile winner Bulletproof Boy is the only guaranteed runner so far.
Most expect Grimson’s brilliant young mare Captains Mistress to win Saturday night’s $250,000 Group 1 Chariots Of Fire and land a golden ticket into the Miracle Mile. She is $1.10 from gate three this week.
When you add the first two placegetters from both qualifying sprints, that leaves two spots for the club’s discretion. They must come from the beaten brigade in one of the two sprints, the Chariots of the Newcastle Mile.
Champion pacer Leap To Fame (gate four) and Don Hugo (one) – winners of the past two Miracle Miles – headline the field in the first qualifying sprint.
Grimson’s brilliant speedster Hi Manameisjeff (gate five) and his recent stable addition Chase A Dream (nine), classy Queenslander Speak The Truth (three), and multiple Group 1 winner Captains Knock (12) add to the stunning depth of that race.
Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy, who has driven four of the past six Miracle Mile winners, is bullish about his chances.
“I couldn’t be happier with both Kingman and (Don) ‘Hugo’,” he said. “Hugo won well last week and I was kind to him late once he had it won.
“Kingman has had a quiet week to 10 days at home after his busy time in Melbourne and seems absolutely great. I can’t wait to get him back to Menangle this week.
“I think the mare (Eye Keep Smiling) will run a great race from her good draw (gate three), too. She’s right back to her best now she’s back home.”
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
