Photo by Stuart McCormick
SWAYZEE set the stage for a stunning 2025 Grand Circuit when he won an epic opening leg in the Group 1 Hunter Cup.
The seven-year-old, who finished equal second to younger half-brother Leap To Fame in last year’s Grand Circuit series, grabbed an early lead with 100 points compared to 60 points for Leap To Fame’s second placing.
As they have done five times previously, the pair engaged in a thrilling duel with Swayzee beating Leap To Fame for the first time in 18 months and the second time overall.
It came courtesy of a daring and brilliant Cam Hart drive to run his rivals ragged, especially when Leap To Fame had to sit outside him.
“What a race to be part of,” Hart said. “I had a plan, but I needed the horse to do it and he’s just such a great stayer.
“Leap To Fame just kept coming at us like the great horse he is, but I always felt we were holding him in the straight.”
Swayzee’s 1min51.9sec mile rate for 2760m took a whopping 1.3sec off Tiger Tara’s track record.
Hart said it was the greatest moment of his stellar career.
“Yeah, that’s tops. It has to be. Such a strong field in a great race like the Hunter Cup and in front of such a big crowd,” he said.
“It’s just a privilege to drive him.”
It was Swayzee’s 19th win from just 25 starts since joining Jason Grimson’s stable.
Leap To Fame’s trainer-driver Grant Dixon was full of credit for the winner and thrilled with his own star.
“I couldn’t ask any more. He gave it everything. Swayzee is a great horse and I knew he wouldn’t stop. He had to get him and we couldn’t quite do it,” he said.
“I went close to getting in front of him after the start and that was the race. When he got around in front of me, he was always going to be hard to beat.
“They’ve built a great rivalry and it’s terrific for the sport.”
Fans may have to wait until July before the pair meet again, given their varying paths in coming months.
Swayzee will continue on his NSW Carnival of Cups march, skip the Miracle Mile and go to the $1.25mil Nullarbor in Perth on April 25.
Leap To Fame has the Cranbourne Cup, Newcastle Mile and Miracle Mile ahead of his trip to NZ for the Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4.
Classy Kiwi pair Republican Party and Tact McLeod banked 40 and 20 Grand Circuit points respectively for their close-up third and fourth placings in the Hunter Cup.
The next of the 2025 Grand Circuit is the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 8.
