Swayzee keeps $1 million bonus alive, NZ Cup next

Outstanding stayer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) kept alive his chances of winning a $1 million harness racing bonus  when as expected he outpointed his rivals to win the $60,000 Donges IGA Cherry City Cup at Young last night.

Swayzee is in contention to win the $1million Carnival of Cups Bonus having won the first leg of the five-race series, The Dish, at Parkes on September 20 and now having taken Young he needs to win the three remaining cups to be run at Tamworth, Albury and Penrith early next year.

SWAYZEE REPLAY

But in the meantime Swayzee is off to New Zealand to defend his New Zealand Cup title to be run at Addington next Tuesday. Connections paid the $28,000 late fee to enter the six year old gelding. He’ll be flown from Sydney this Sunday. 

It was a copybook drive by Cameron Hart who from the outside of the second row weaved his way through the pack on the tricky circuit forged to the lead. Given the tough forthcoming schedule it was clear that Hart was going to give his charge the easiest run possible and on that front he was successful on all fronts. 

Swayzee was clearly head and shoulders above his rivals and started at bank interest odds. Once in front he never looked in any danger. Jordy who had the trail behind the leader tried to issue a challenge on the final bend. Similarly the consistent Victorian Serg Blanco unleashed a powerful sprint in the back straight to try to make a race of it. Both Jordy and Serg Blanco tried their hearts out but Hart just nursed Swayzee and he finished 3 metres ahead of a brave Jordy and equally courageous Serg Blanco in third position.

Despite the easy run, Swayzee ran the marathon 2887 metres journey in a mile rate of 2.00.2 which easily broke the track record set by veteran Max Delight when he won the Young Cup 12 months ago in 2.02.8.

Swayzee is now equal favourite with local star Merlin in next Tuesday’s $NZ1 million event following the unfortunate scratching of Leap to Fame due to an irregular blood count. 

And if he travels well and is sound on the day he has a great chance of back to back wins in New Zealand’s premier pacing event.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink