D-DAY is here for the pacing brute Swayzee (Rock N Roll heaven).
The Menangle champion must win and make a statement at tomorrow night’s Graham McNeice Memorial (1609m) in Menangle to show he is on course to claim a record-equalling third NZ Cup victory in harness racing on November 11.
It won’t be easy over an unsuitably short distance and outside draw against some quality rivals, led by Max Delight, Horn Player and Cya Art.
Swayzee, who has won just one of his three starts at the 1609m at Menangle, has been defeated in his last four starts, including two this season.
He recently missed defending his Victoria Cup crown at Melton after a health setback.
Trainer Jason Grimson has declared the rising eight-year-old back on course and booked him to fly from Sydney to Christchurch via Auckland on Sunday week.
It’s only a few days before the race, but it’s the same tight schedule that Swayzee followed last year to successfully defend his crown.
For all his greatness at Addington, this will be by far the strongest NZ Cup field Swayzee has faced.
His champion half-brother Leap To Fame, who returned to winning form at Melton last Saturday night, will be on the run on Monday to chase the Cup for the first time.
The NSW-trained Kingman, who defeated Leap To Fame in the Group 1 Victoria Cup two weeks ago, will also cross the ditch.
Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy was delighted with how the four-year-old handled his first attempt to start from a standstill in a Menangle stage on Wednesday.
“It was everything we hoped for. He stepped away well and didn’t worry about it,” he said.
Owner-breeder Mick Harvey confirmed the trip.
“He’s a goer. He’ll have two runs there, the (NZ) Cup and the Christian Cullen 10 days later,” he said.
In other stable news, McCarthy confirmed his Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo would return to racing on Saturday week.
“He’s raring to go. There’s a free-for-all for him in Menangle next Saturday,” he said.
“He will have that run and then go to Wagga (November 14) for the first leg of the (NSW) Carnival of Cups.”
Other big names heading to Wagga include Catch A Wave, Captains Knock, Nyack, Ubetcha Tigerpie, Kanena Provlima and Oliver
Through Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia
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