Swayzee looking to master another NZ Group One

Australian warhorse Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) will be looking for more cash to carry home when he takes on a strong field in the Dawson Harford Taylor Mile tomorrow night.

After storming home late to finish third in ‘The Race’ at Cambridge, trainer Jason Grimson decided to leave Swayzee in Auckland under the care of Mark Jones for a three race campaign.

“He hasn’t missed an oat and is as bright as a button. We’ve got an easy job looking after him so we just follow instructions (laughter). He’s probably a bit better than he was at Cambridge since he’s settled in,” Jones say.

Although the gelding has never raced righthanded, Jones says that won’t be a problem.

“Talking to Jason and Cam (Hart) after Cambridge they’re both looking forward to him racing the Auckland way. He does a lot of his work at home that way and they think he’s a touch better that way.”

Jones is enjoying the responsibly of looking after Swayzee.

“It’s a big responsibly but it’s a good challenge. Someone puts a bit of faith in you and you want to do as good a job as you can.”

Grimson has been back to New Zealand since Cambridge.

“He’s flown over twice to do the fast work with him. Jason is very hands on and we just tick him over between times.”

Jones notes differences in approach to training standardbreds between Australia and New Zealand.

“He (Grimson) doesn’t do as much as a lot of people would think. It’s quite surprising. But it definitely works. It keeps them healthy by not doing as much work. The feed to work ratio is pretty spot on. What I’ve noticed about Australians in dealing with them is that they’ve probably adapted to the breed a lot better than the Kiwis. The breed doesn’t take as much work as it used to.”

Only one Australian trained horse has won the Taylor Mile; Divisive trained and driven by Peter Rixon in 2007.

Since 2022 when the race changed from being just for four year olds to all comers, more Australians have crossed the ditch to have a go, including Better Eclipse, Speak The Truth, Triple Eight and Majestic Cruiser.

Jones has two of his own runners racing at Alexandra Park.

Queen Lizzy (Captaintreacherous) starts in the Caduceus Club ‘Bonus’ Three Year Old Fillies Mobile Pace.

“It’s winnable. She’s raced good all the time up here. From that draw she can go forward and probably make her own luck.”

Later in the evening, quality mare Francent (Vincent) takes her place in the Classique Landscapers Autumn Mares Sprint.

“She’s going as good as she was back when she was winning in December. She went through a lull, but we found a few niggles. Her win at Cambridge was probably as good as she’s gone for a while. She’s in a pretty good place so I’d say she’ll be very hard to beat again.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink