Swayzee’s stunning Miracle Mile preview

Outstanding pacer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) served notice that he will be hard to beat in next week’s $1 Million Group 1 Miracle Mile next week when he gave a lion hearted harness racing performance to lead for most of the way in the Cordina Group Sprint at Menangle Park last night.

Given that Swayzee had swept all before him before his untimely defeat in the Albury Cup it was a surprise to see the New Zealander It’s Merlin backed into favourite. However he caused a false start when he had his head in front of the gate and that unsettled him. In a furious early battle It’s Merlin held out Nyack and they ran a blistering first quarter of 25.1 seconds. In this first quarter Swayzee was out three wide before he raced up outside It’s Merlin.

SWAYZEE MAR 1 REPLAY CORDINA GROUP SPRINT

Cameron Hart on Swayzee pressed on and the gelding was left in front. Given all the work he had done and running his second quarter in 28.9 seconds and his third quarter in 27.1 seconds Swayzee was entitled to get tired in the home straight. That danger came in the form of Tact Macleod and he looked the likely winner half way down the straight. But Swayzee showing his trademark courage continued to keep going and he held off Tact Macleod by a neck. Captain Ravishing a recent stablemate of Swayzee and who was well back in the field charged home to get third placing after hanging in under pressure.

Driver Cameron Hart has in the past used every superlative to describe Swayzee and last night was no exception.

“He’s just unbelievable. He can do it all. Coming back to a mile was his last big test. It was a brutal first quarter with him being three wide. He just has a will to win and I’ve never driven a horse like him. He was ready to go another lap. Being three wide in such a first quarter is not easy to do . It’s an incredible performance. I always have faith in him. Jason will give him an easy week and he can win next week for sure.”

Hart also revealed what winning a Miracle Mile would mean. “It would be right up to the top with me. It would be a dream come true. Hopefully we have a big shot and get it done.”

Tact Macleod ran an admirable second and has earned his place in next week’s field. There will be conjecture as to whether Captain Ravishing could be selected and on his performance he will warrant serious attention to getting a final place in the field.

But harness racing fans will surely relish yet another clash of the half brothers Swayzee and Leap to Fame whose rivalry has been one of the most intense and fascinating to date.

To see the Miracle Mile barrier draw click here.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink