Grimson says Swayzee can sprint and stay

OUTSPOKEN harness racing trainer Jason Grimson is adamant his mighty stayer Swayzee will thrive on the switch to sprint racing.

The seven-year-old will need a top three finish in Saturday night’s Group 2 Cordina Sprint at Menangle to qualify for the $1 million Miracle Mile – and another clash with Leap To Fame – a week later.

Swayzee has stamped himself as one of the great modern day stayers with wins in the past two New Zealand Cups, along with beating Leap To Fame in the 2023 Blacks A Fake and this year’s Hunter Cup.

But, in 26 starts for Grimson, Swayzee has only contested two sprint races and won them both, albeit against moderate class and more than a year ago.

“He’s just a great horse and I’m sure he’ll run a terrific mile,” Grimson told SENTrack. “He’s faster than you think and he loves the big track (Menangle).

“When they go really hard miles, you need a strong horse, not just a fast one. Swayzee is both.”

Swayzee is an easing favourite ($1.50 to $2.15) from barrier five on Saturday night.

Star Kiwi pair, Its Merlin (gate one, $4.40) and Dont Stop Dreaming (three, $3.50), have better draws and look like the main dangers.

Grimson would love Swayzee to work to the lead, but won’t be fazed if he is parked outside one of the Kiwis.

“Either way, he’s the horse to beat. In fact, I’ll be surprised if he gets beaten,” he said.

“His work at home since Albury has been fantastic. You’ve just got to put the pen through Albury (second to Captain Hammerhead in the Albury Cup), he didn’t handle the small track at all. He gets back to Menangle this time.”

Two of the sport’s greatest champions of this decade, Blacks A Fake and Lazarus, weren’t as effective in sprint races, while dominating at 2000m and beyond.

They contested six Miracle Miles between them without winning, but Blacks A Fake did finish second twice.

Grimson also has former pin-up pacer Captain Ravishing having his first start for the stable against Swayzee on Saturday night.

“I’d love to have got him a bit early because the improvement he’s made in the few weeks he’s been here is enormous,” he said.

“He just hasn’t had the foundation to use his gate speed to try and do it from the front this week.

“I think we’ll look after him early and let him run home. It wouldn’t shock me if he won, but he will just keep getting better and better.”

Grimson also has two runners in Saturday night’s second qualifier, the Cordina Chickens Sprint.

“Aardies Express is the best of them,” he said. “She just wasn’t right last start and when the vet got to her, we found a few things we’ve fixed.

“She’s strong and fast and it’ll be good to see her against the boys. She’ll hold her own.

“The Falcon is drawn better, but he’ll need a good trip. He’s a nice horse, but not quite up to a Miracle Mile.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria