Swayzee upsets Leap To Fame in repeat Hunter Cup win

Iron pacer Swayzee (Rock n roll Heaven) gave yet another fantastic staying performance in a thrilling Group 1 $250,000 Sportsbet AG Hunter Cup at Melton on Saturday evening.

Before a capacity crowd to witness one of the best Hunter Cup fields the barrier draw proved to be the main factor with Swayzee taking advantage of his harness racing barrier 2 with Leap To Fame on his outside and Kingman on the second line.

The New Zealander Republican Party held out the early lead and made Swayzee work for a while before driver Cameron Hart was able to cross over and take the lead.

Republican Party settled behind the leader. Leap To Fame was caught three wide early before settling outside Swayzee and that’s exactly where Cameron Hart wanted his main danger to be.

Meantime Kingman was severely interfered shortly after the start and was relegated to a clear last.

Swayzee ran along in the lead and Hart kept the tempo going.

Leap To Fame started to edge closer in the back straight but it was Kingman who sustained a long sprint in the back straight despite the lost ground he faced early in the race.

Swayzee was shaded by Leap To Fame on straightening but showing his customary determination he held on. Republican Party got an inside run to issue a challenge but all honours as held on to win by a neck. Republican Party ran yet another gallant race while Leap To Fame lost no admirers. The race was an exact replica of last year’s Hunter Cup with the same three placings.

SWAYZEE 14 FEB REPLAY

Swayzee’s win thwarted Leap To Fame’s attempt to earn the $1 million bonus and it seems now that will have been his last Victorian run as he will now head north to New South Wales for the Miracle Mile.

Grant Dixon deserves full credit for bringing Leap to Fame to Victoria and giving the country supporters a rare opportunity to see him over these five demanding weeks.

Luke McCarthy was obviously disappointed after Kingman encountered so much trouble which cost him the chance of winning the Hunter Cup. However he indicated that Kingman has taken no harm and he is sure to return to New South Wales with the big feature events in mind. When one considers the interference suffered by Kingman and the subsequent ground he made up his effort was little short of amazing.

There was a delay in declaring the all clear as the connections of Republican Party wanted confirmation that they had indeed been placed third which was eventually stated by the stewards maintaining Leap To Fame in the runner up position.

Winning driver Cameron Hart expressed his delight following his win.

I feel unbelievable. I feel privileged to be in this position to be on such a good horse. He’s been so good for Jason (Grimson) I and Mick (Boots) and all the connections. He never lets us down. I was feeling good. Once Grant got outside me at the 400 metres I could see that he was niggling at him. I knew he didn’t have too much left in the tank. Once he could only get a head of me at the top of the lane I knew this guy would kick back. It’s never easy to kick back and beat Leap To Fame. This fellow has got the same sort of traits as him. We were lucky enough to be strong on the line.

It was an amazing feeling, it’s a great atmosphere here at Melton and its just a real privilege to be in a race such as this with such great horses. To be able to partner Swayzee it’s a dream come true. He’s been such a great horse to us and his will to win, he keeps showing up.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink