Swayzee back preparing for another NZ Cup

Mighty Aussie stayer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) is back in work and preparing for another New Zealand Cup.

The harness racing seven-year-old was the most notable absentee from the Brisbane Inter Dominion with connections preferring to give him a long spell after an arduous late 2024 and early 2025.

Swayzee hasn’t raced since doing all the work for a fighting fourth to Mister Smartee in the $1.25mil Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25.

“He’s back in work now and coming along well,” trainer Jason Grimson said. “He deserved the long time out after a couple of busy seasons.”

His leviathan owner, Mick Boots, who was in Brisbane for the Inter Dominion series, said a title defence in the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup on October 18 was the first target.

“He’s getting older now, so as long as he comes back well and Jason’s happy, we’ll go to the Victoria Cup and then on to New Zealand again,” Boots said.

“If, at any time, Jason isn’t happy, then we’ll just retire him because he doesn’t owe us anything, but so far so good.

“We’d love to go back for the NZ Cup again, it’s such a great race and it’s a race he’s so well suited to.”

Like everyone, Boots watched Leap To Fame dominate in Brisbane again.

“When Swayzee isn’t there, he’s just far too good for them, Larry.”

Swayzee has beaten Leap To Fame twice, most recently in last February’s Hunter Cup.

“I was chatting with Grant (Dixon) about that race. He said ‘Mick, at the 400m I thought I had your horse, the same at the 300m and 200m, but then at the 100m he was so strong and had me,” Boots said.

Given Leap To Fame won’t tackle the Victoria Cup, all going well the NZ Cup will be the next time the giants of Australasian pacing clash.

And what a stage it would be.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand