Swayzee a great chance to secure $250,000 bonus

Superstar pacer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) looks a near certainty to land a $250,000 bonus in round three of the Harness Racing NSW Carnival of Cups at Tamworth on Friday night.

Jason Grimson’s champion has won the opening two rounds of the series at Parkes and Young, meaning his connections are guaranteed an extra quarter of million dollars if he does it again in the Tamworth City Cup.

The final payout for Swayzee could yet be much bigger, with the bonus growing to $500,000 with victory in round four at Albury in February and finally $1 million should he complete a Carnival of Cups clean sweep at Penrith in March.

Swayzee showed his remarkable ability and toughness in November when he scored in the Cherry City Cup at Young on a Friday night before dashing across the Tasman to win a second successive New Zealand Cup just four days later.

Back on home soil, Swayzee was kept ticking over for his Carnival of Cups goal with an effortless win in the Group 3 Shirley Turnbull Memorial at Bathurst on Boxing Day where he started from the outside of the back row and raced wide early before rolling forward to take up his customary role as leader before drawing clear to cruise him by more than 17m.

At Tamworth he’ll start alone on the back row so driver Cam Hart can roll forward whenever he chooses.

Expect him to find the front again and from there it’s very hard to see him being beaten with the seven-year-old a raging $1.04 favourite in early fixed odds betting with the TAB.

The race could be on for second placing with Swayzee’s former stablemate Cya Art next pick in the betting at $9 ahead of Master Catch at $12.

The latter could be the way to go as while he isn’t in the same class as Swayzee he did win this race two years ago so will be comfortable at the Tamworth circuit.

Master Catch also goes well at the distance range with two wins and a placing from four attempts.

Cya Art has switched to the Kerryann Morris yard since his last start Menangle placing and is another with a sound record at the journey.

He hasn’t managed to measure up to Swayzee in their past clashes but his best form would be good enough to grab second.

Nurburgring backs up after he copped interference and was retired at this circuit on Tuesday. He could lob into the fourth spot with better luck.

For complete race entries, click here.

From Racing & Sports