“There’s every possibility we’ll go,” Drake said.
Ever since they heard the gelding had drawn gate two in the $250,000 Group One competition on Saturday evening, the pair have been keen to cross the ditch.
“Neville is coming over for a cup of tea, so we’ll talk about it then.”
Drake and Jackson have been involved in Swayzee’s ownership since he started his career with Tim Butt.
“Tim was promoting him, so I met him.”
He had thirty-six starts for Butt, winning nine races, before going on the market.
“They had him for sale and I didn’t want to (sell him). Jason (Grimson) rode him when he worked for Butt and he really liked him. When Jason says he likes a horse, it perks up your ears.”
Since joining Grimson, the gelding has won a further twenty-three races, including two New Zealand Cups.
“You wouldn’t believe how many people here who aren’t racing are calling people and asking when he’s starting.”
Drake and Jackson raced gallopers together and sold them to Hong Kong for good money.
“I called Neville and said I had a pacer and he said, ‘Okay, put me in’. That’s the way he is. He doesn’t care about continental (laughter).”
Saturday’s feature is packed with talent: the Republican Party signs Swayzee, heavy favorite Leap To Fame draws six and rising star Kingman draws three in the second row.
Being raced over 2760 metres, it is expected that there will be plenty of early action and some mid-race moves in what many expect to be a super-hot contest.
“We’ll have a beer if he wins and we’ll have a beer if he loses.”
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
#Havelock #North #Hunter #Cup