After a scrappy start, driver Henry Sail put Bannockburn back in with four men before moving to the front with 1800 meters to run. Although there were challenges at the top of the straight, the four-year-old proved he was in a class of his own, winning by six and a quarter lengths.
“Henry rode him a peach. I told him the best place for him is to roll along at the front. It was a tailwind down the straight, so it was great judgment from Henry,” said trainer Aaron Swain.
BANNOCKBURN REPEAT
Swain’s mother Wendy has a stake in the gelding, with a handful of Swain’s loyal owners and some new faces.
“He doesn’t like grit very much, so he wears a fly mask over his face. That’s been a game changer. He’s a bit funny in his gait and in the first corner he gets a bit ‘rolly’ at the back, so you just have to talk to him. We’re still learning (about him).”
Bannockburn is a daughter of Christian Cullen stallion Locharburn and was bred by Kevin and Barbara Chapman.
“I’ve had two Locharburns and they’re both nice horses. I don’t know why people don’t send their mares to him because he does very well. I sent a mare to him because of the two I’ve had.”
The four-year-old is well related, as he is a half-brother to the 11-winner gelding Beach Ball that Chapman trained.
“Kevin and I have had a good partnership over the years and he has sent me a few horses that have had a few little tricks. I had Lochdarragh and Kevin had a share in him. He won his last start for us but then he broke down.”
Chapman had a ready-made replacement for Lochdarragh at Bannockburn and offered Swain the horse for training.
Aaron is currently on maternity leave after his partner Rose Alfeld gave birth to Archie Alfeld Swain.
“He decided to come into this world a little earlier than intended. We spent four months with him in the hospital. He’s gone now and he’s gone laughing. I had a day off from my father’s duties and a day at the races.”
Swain trains with Rose’s parents, Murray and Lisa Alfeld, in Leeston.
“It’s a beautiful property and I can’t thank them enough. I couldn’t manage the horses without them. They are a great help.”
His full-time job, which he returns to in a few weeks, is as a nutrition specialist for McMillan and NRM, covering Canterbury, Otago and Southland.
“I look after the Farmlands and PGG Wrightson stores that sell our product. I also go to the stables and look after our customers.”
For full race results, click here.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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