Swayzee after winning the 2024 NZ Cup
HARNESS racing’s great sibling rivalry will continue at the Brisbane Inter Dominion.
Trainer Jason Grimson confirmed champion stayer Swayzee would be set for his second tilt at an Inter Dominion after he finishes a four-race NZ campaign on Friday week.
It sets the scene for more clashes between Swayzee and his younger half-brother Leap To Fame, who took a 7-3 head-to-head advantage after beating Swayzee home in the recent Race by Sport Nation at Cambridge.
Their only previous Inter Dominion final clash came in December, 2023 when Leap To Fame won and Swayzee ran third.
“The Inter Dominion is definite,” Grimson told Gareth Hall on SEN’s Giddy Up show this week. “I’d rather keep him going rather than turn him out (for a spell). I don’t think at his age it’s good for him (to have a spell).
“I’d say this season could be his last at the top level, but if ever he starts to show he’s not going as good or not liking it (racing), we’ll pull the pin straight away.”
Swayzee looks to be enjoying the racing as much as ever judging by his enormous third in last Friday night’s unsuitable Group 1 Taylor Mile at Alexandra Park in Auckland.
He backs up in a more suitable 2200m Group 1 Roy Purdon Memorial tomorrow (Friday).
“His run last week was terrific and with the run at the track under his belt, I’m sure he’ll be a lot better and sharper this week,” Grimson said.
“I was really happy with him the other night and he’s obviously not a miler.
“I expect him to be really hard to beat this week. With only seven runners, he shouldn’t have to do as much work early and be straight across outside the leader, who will probably be Got The Chocolates.
“Then he’s got the Messenger the week after and that’s really the race you’d expect to be hardest to beat in over the 2700m.
“That’ll be his third run at the track and I expect him to get better each time.
“He put a bit of weight on after the slot (Cambridge) race and he looks great.”
PHOTO: HRNZ/Race Images NZ
