Swayzee - Blacks A Fake win 2023
TRAINER Jason Grimson isn't fazed by a tricky barrier and insists Swayzee is primed to win his long-awaited third stoush with Leap To Fame at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The scoreline sits 1-1, with Swayzee upstaging his younger sibling in last year's Blacks A Fake, then Leap To Fame turning the tables in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final on December 16.
Swayzee, who is tough but not known for his early speed, has drawn barrier one, while Leap To Fame will come from the back row (gate 11) in the Group 3 Mr Feelgood Open (2138m).
Leap To Fame, who sparkled winning the Wondais Mate last week, is a marginal $1.85 favourite ahead of Swayzee at $2.25.
While Swayzee hasn't raced since a surprise defeat in the Lucky Creed at Albion Park on June 22.
"He was crook that night, but he was treated and recovered quickly. He's certainly forward enough to win this," Grimson said.
"As far as the draw goes, I think it actually gives Cam (Hart, driver) options. I'm confident there will be room for him to get away from the inside if he wants, or Hot And Treacherous flies out and will be the first leader, so that would put Swayzee behind him and that's not a bad spot to be."
"I'll leave the decisions to Cam, but I think the draw is more of a positive than a negative."
If emergency Send It doesn't gain a run, Leap To Fame will start from three out of the back row (gate 10), which limits trainer-driver Grant Dixon's options early.
But you can be sure he'll be off and running as soon as the pace slackens to try and control the race from on the speed with Leap To Fame.
It's the first of two clashes between Swayzee and Leap To Fame during the Queensland Constellations. They will meet again in the $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake on July 27.
Grimson also has hot favourites Frankie Ferocious and Aardies Express in other Albion Park features on Saturday night.
Frankie Ferocious is $2 favourite for the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun despite a shock first-up flop at Albion Park last week.
"Just forget the run," Grimson said.
"He kicked the wheels at the start, got fired up and ran himself into the ground. He's done it before, but he's been great since and I'm expecting to see him back to his best this time."
"His work and trials before that run were terrific, so I'd go on that more than the run last week."
Aardies Express dominates from a lovely draw in the Group 3 Fleur De Lil for mares. She has drawn gate two but will move into the pole if emergency Jewel Melody doesn't gain a start.
Like Frankie Ferocious, she heads into the race off a shock loss at Menangle last outing.
"Not much went right. She got too keen in the run, and Cam (Hart) said the run (inside the leader) came too late for her to be able to muster speed and be right in the finish," Grimson said.
"This run is to top her right off for next week, and the main danger is my other mare, Tay Tay, who is absolutely flying."
Aardies Express is headed to a rematch with Australia's champion mare Ladies In Red in next Saturday's $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
