From Havelock North to the Hunter Cup

Hawkes Bay mates Lester Drake (82) and Neville Jackson (80) who own a ten percent share in gun pacer Swayzee, (Rock N Roll Heaven) are considering being on course at Melton for this weekend’s Hunter Cup.

“There’s every possibility we’ll go,” Drake said.

Since hearing the gelding has drawn gate two in the $250,000 Group One feature on Saturday night the pair are pretty keen to head across the ditch.

“Neville’s coming round for a cup of tea so we’re going to talk about it then.”

Drake and Jackson have been involved in the ownership of Swayzee since he began his career with Tim Butt.

“Tim advertised him, so I got onto him.”

He had thirty six starts for Butt winning nine races, before he went on the market.

“They had him for sale and I wouldn’t (sell him). Jason (Grimson) drove him when he was working for Butt and he liked him very much. When Jason says he likes a horse you prick up your ears.”

Since being with Grimson the gelding has won a further twenty three races including two New Zealand Cups.

“You wouldn’t believe the amount of people up here who are not racing people that ring up and ask when he’s starting.”

Drake and Jackson raced gallopers together, on-selling them to Hong Kong for good money.

“I rang Neville up and said that I had a pacer and he said ‘alright just put me in’. That’s what he’s like. He couldn’t give a continental (laughter).”

Saturday’s feature is stacked full of talent with Republican Party drawing inside of Swayzee, hot favourite Leap To Fame drawing six and rising star Kingman drawing three on the second row.

Being raced over 2760 metres, it’s expected there’ll be plenty of action early and some midrace moves in what many are predicting to be a super hot contest.

 “We’ll have a beer is he wins and we’ll have a beer if he loses.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink