CHAMPION Stayer Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) showed that he was ready for a surprising first tilt on the $ 150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile with a scorching Menangle test win today.
The seven-year-old Powerhouse, who has 30 victories and almost $ 2.25 million, won a small but elite mile process in 1min49.9Sec, which tore home in 54.1 and 27 seconds and superstster Warhorse Max Delight and Sprint specialist, Hi Manameiff defeated.
They were all connections that were needed to confirm a change of plans for him to tackle the Len Smith Mile of Saturday week, a race that never stood on his radar.
Swayzee, winner of the last two NZ Cups and also the reigning Hunter and Victoria Cup champion, has not been raced since fourth was in the $ 1.25 million group 1 Nullarbor in Gloucester Park on 25 April.
Although better known for his stay, Swayzee has raced four times in sprint traces for trainer Jason Grimson for three wins and a desperate unfortunate fourth in the $ 1 million Wonder Mijl when they will be stopped in traffic on 8 March.
Swayzee -test
The large radiant gelding has taken Len Smith favoritism at $ 3.20.
The Len Smith is the first of three goals of the group 1 in the coming months for Swayzee.
He goes to Melton to defend his Victoria Cup -Kroon on October 18 and then fly to Christchurch via Auckland, to chase a remarkably third consecutive consecutive $ NZ1mil NZ Trotting Cup victory in Addington on November 11.
The driver of Max Delight Will Rixon took a lot of heart from the narrow second to Swayzee in today’s process.
“I couldn’t have traveled more easily on his back and decided not to withdraw because it was just a process,” he said.
“He felt that he had a lot left and, although Swayzee can be a difficult horse to pass by, we have earlier and it felt like we would at least come to him if I had asked my husband.
“Old Max absolutely flies. He ran home in 52.8sec to win the last start and I think we will enter the Len Smith with a good chance as every. Now we just need a good draw.
“Undoubtedly, Swayzee will hit a lot, but he is first in the first place and we have had a really strong basis of racing, including two recent wins of 1min48sec Mile at Menangle.”
Max Delight will be part of a large Tableka evening for Rixon, who will work together in the main event the John Hawkes property.
Seatherstars, one of a trio of three-year-olds, already guaranteed a start of tab Eureka, won his menangle test today easily.
“He led and it was very windy, but he finished it very well,” said Rixon.
Seatherstars clearly ran to win with 11.4 m in a 1min54sec mile, the final splits sprinted in 54.3 and 26.4 sec.
“He really goes to places, this horse. Die Queensland Derby -Run really showed his potential and I loved the way he won the last time at Menangle,” said Rixon.
“I know it is a wide open Eureka, but he can win it with the right run and he immediately felt on goal today.”
Through Adam HamiltonFor Harness Racing Australia
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