Half-a-million reasons to chase last leg of the Carnival of Cups

While star pacer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) narrowly missed his chance of aiming at the lucrative $1million Carnival of Cups Bonus he is still in contention to win a $500,000  harness racing Bonus.

The Jason Grimson-trained pacer has already locked away the $250,000 bonus after winning the first three legs of this Carnival of Cups series and could double that if he wins the final leg of the series – the Renshaw Cup – at Penrith on March 15.

Swayzee’s million-dollar Carnival of Cups Bonus dream ended when finishing a gallant second-place in last Friday’s Murray Cup at the Albury Carnival of Cups.

Beaten a neck in track record time by Captain Hammerhead, driver Cameron Hart stated Swayzee “just didn’t handle the track great”.

“I thought he was super brave again just didn’t handle the track great here with very tight corners.

“It’s a bit of a shame but he was still very gallant in defeat.

“He always digs in and that last 50 (metres) he was trying his heart out.

“Still super proud of the horse . . . whether he wins or loses we love him to death and he’s never let us down.”

WATCH THE FULL CAMERON HART INTERVIEW Click here

Swayzee was undefeated in the first three Carnival of Cups features, winning The Dish in Parkes, the Cherry City Cup in Young and then the Tamworth City Cup.

Connections of the $1,998,593 earner are now contemplating aiming Swayzee at the upcoming Miracle Mile, while a trip across to Perth in April is locked in with the dual NZ Cup winner representing the TABtouch slot in the Nullarbor.

by Amanda Rando, for Harness Racing New South Wales