NZ Cup implications at Albion Park

Early IRT New Zealand Cup markets could be reshaped by a race in a different country on Saturday night.

Australia’s two best pacers, Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) and Swayzee, (Rock N Roll Heaven) clash for the third time in their harness racing careers and connections of both continue to say they are targeting the $1m IRT NZ Trotting Cup in November, where Leap To Fame is currently a $2.30 favourite, with Swayzee ad t $6.

Swayzee, who won last year’s NZ Cup for trainer Jason Grimson andriver Cam Hart, won his first clash with Leap To Fame in last year’s Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

When they clashed again five months later, Leap To Fame turned the tables in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final.

Grimson isn’t fazed by a tricky barrier on Saturday night and insists Swayzee is primed to win this week’s long-awaited third stoush with Leap To Fame in the Group 3 2138m Mr Feelgood Open Pace at 9.44pm.

Swayzee, who is tough but not known for his early speed, has drawn barrier one, while Leap To Fame will come from the back row (gate 11).

Leap To Fame, who sparkled winning the Wondais Mate last week, is a marginal $1.85 favourite ahead of Swayzee at $2.25.

While Swayzee hasn’t raced since a surprise defeat in the Lucky Creed at Albion Park on June 22.

“He was crook that night, but he was treated and recovered quickly. He’s certainly forward enough to win this,” Grimson said.

“As far as the draw goes, I think it actually gives Cam (Hart, driver) options. I’m confident there will be room for him to get away from the inside if he wants, or Hot And Treacherous flies out and will be the first leader, so that would put Swayzee behind him and that’s not a bad spot to be.

“I’ll leave the decisions to Cam, but I think the draw is more of a positive than a negative.”

If emergency Send It doesn’t gain a run, Leap To Fame will start from three-out of the back row (gate 10), which limits trainer-driver Grant Dixon’s options early.

But you can be sure he’ll be off and running as soon as the pace slackens to try and control the race from on the speed with Leap To Fame.

It’s the first of two clashes between Swayzee and Leap To Fame during the Queensland Constellations. They will meet again in the $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake on July 27.

Grimson also has hot favourites Frankie Ferocious and Aardie’s Express in other Albion Park features on Saturday night.

Frankie Ferocious is $2 favourite for the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun despite a shock first-up flop at Albion Park last week.

“Just forget the run,” Grimson said. “He kicked the wheels at the start, got fired-up and ran himself into the ground. He’s done it before, but he’s been great since and I’m expecting to see him back to his best this time.

“His work and trials before that run were terrific, so I’d go on that more than the run last week.”

Aardie’s Express dominates from a lovely draw in the Group 3 Fleur De Lil for mares. She has drawn gate two, but will move into the pole if emergency Jewel Melody doesn’t gain a start.

Like Frankie Ferocious, she heads into the race off a shock loss at Menangle last outing.

“Not much went right. She got too keen in the run and Cam (Hart) said the run (inside the leader) came too late for her to be able muster speed and be right in the finish,” Grimson said.

“This run is to top her right off for next week and the main danger is my other mare, Tay Tay, who is absolutely flying.”

Aardie’s Express is headed to a rematch with Australia’s champion mare Ladies In Red in next Saturday’s $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand