NZ Cup dream in doubt for champion stayer

Champion stayer Swayzee’s (Rock N Roll Heaven) quest for a slice of IRT NZ Cup harness racing history looks over.

The mighty seven-year-old was scratched from a vital lead-up race at Menangle tonight (Saturday) with a suspected cold.

Given Swayzee hasn’t raced since October 4 and the NZ Cup is just 10 days way, it’s hard to see any way he’s on the scheduled flight tomorrow (Sunday) week to Christchurch via Auckland.

Trainer Jason Grimson told Melbourne’s SENTrack radio the trip was now unlikely and plans would be finalised after he spoke with owner Mick Boots.

Swayzee was trying to become just the third pacer to win three successive NZ Cups.

But the latest setback continues a frustrating campaign for Swayzee, who has only raced twice and been beaten both times.

The rising eight-year-old has been beaten at his past four starts, something we have not seen before since he joined Grimson’s stable.

Swayzee missed last month’s Group 1 Victoria Cup with a bowel infection.

Australia will still have two IRT NZ Cup runners with Leap To Fame booked to fly over Monday and Kingman six days later.

Swayzee’s setback also raises doubts when Grimson will take stablemate Hi Manameisjeff across for the Group 1 NZ Free-For-All on Show Day.

by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New ZEaland