Swayzee to keep $1 million bonus hopes alive before NZ mission

It’s been a remarkable week of surprises where star pacer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) is concerned but one plan remains unchanged – he’ll head to Young on Friday night to keep his hopes of a $1million harness racing bonus alive.

His trainer Jason Grimson made a stunning call on Monday to pay a late nomination fee to give Swayzee the chance to defend his New Zealand Cup title at Addington next week.

It sets up a mammoth five-day mission for the gelding, beginning with Friday night’s Cherry City Cup at Young.

The race is the second leg of the Carnival of Cups and one he needs win to keep alive his chances of snaring a $1million bonus for claiming each of the five legs.

He’ll then head home to Menangle before boarding a plane on Sunday to commence his journey across the Tasman for Tuesday’s New Zealand Cup.

It’s quite a task to set for any horse but it shows the confidence Grimson has in his stable star at the moment.

Grimson explained his change of plan with just two words – “he’s flying” – and it’s hard to argue on what we have seen in his last two starts.

He dominated The Dish – the first round of the Carnival of Cup series when he returned off a let-up two back at Parkes then was brilliant in surging to the lead and showing remarkable strength in front to win the Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton last start.

Swayzee starts from the back row again at Parkes but came from a similar barrier in both of those wins before working to the front so that presents no concern.

He is the clear standout on both class and form and should be heading off to New Zealand with the second round of the Carnival of Cups safely under his belt.

The early betting market suggests the Cherry City Cup is a one-horse race – Swayzee is at $1.05 fixed odds with the TAB – but there are some handy pacers starting alongside him on the back row.

Serg Blanco has returned in good order and is working up to a win, improving off a resuming fourth to go under by a neck when runner-up from a wide barrier at Melton last start.

It certainly won’t be easy to topple the favourite but he’ll be close to peak fitness now.

Mach Da Vinci has been solid against decent company since a Menangle win four back.

He was a 1.6m third to Curly James in his next outing and that rival subsequently placed behind Swayzee in the Victoria Cup so the form lines are solid.

He rates as a trifecta player along with Ardens Ace who went close in the city last time to follow a Bathurst win.

The Carnival of Cups combines the action on the track with live music and the Young meeting will feature performances by Sheppard, Baby Animals and Chocolate Starfish.

The series not only carries a $1 million bonus for any horse that can win all five feature races but $500,000 is also on offer for the winner of four legs or $250,000 for any horse than claims three of the cups.

Following Young, the Carnival of Cups will head to Tamworth on January 17, Albury on February 14 and Penrith on March 14.

From Racing & Sports