Jye Coney
CAM Hart’s surprise decision to partner Swayzee has paved the way for youngster Jye Coney to land the fairytale drive on Captains Mistress in Saturday night’s $1 million Miracle Mile.
Coney, who only turned 18 in August and has driven just 267 winners, said his head was spinning when the news came through.
“What an opportunity,” he said. “I was just thrilled to be driving in the race and was planning for what I’d do on Chase A Dream from the wide draw and then I hear I’ll be on the mare instead.
“She’s a freak. She’s untapped and we still do know how good she could be.
“It’s a ballsy move from Jason (Grimson, trainer) and Mick (Boots, owner). I can’t thank them enough for giving a kid, and I am still just a kid, an opportunity like this.”
Coney, who is yet to drive a Group 1 winner, underlined his potential when he finished (on Chase A Dream) and third (on Rakero Rocket) for Grimson in the two Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle last Saturday night.
“That was by far the biggest night of my career and now it’s gone up to another whole new level this week,” he said.
“I’m sure I’ll get nervous, but I wasn’t too bad before last week. I’m lucky I can control my emotions pretty well.
“Here I am planning how to drive Chase A Dream, but now I’ll change plans, chat with Jase (Grimson) and work out the best way to drive this mare (Captains Mistress) in her biggest test.”
Captains Mistress is unbeaten in six starts since transferring from NZ to join Grimson’s Menangle stable, including the Group 1 Queen of the Pacific and last week’s Group 1 Chariots of Fire.
But she is chasing history with no four-year-old mare having won the Miracle Mile since it was first run in 1967.
Hart said although he has a long and successful association with Swayzee, he chose from the head not the heart.
“I think he can hold the lead from one,” he said. “He went great last week and I think he’s right back to his best form.”
Swayzee won the Hunter Cup two starts back and did the work outside the leader when a huge second to The Janitor in his qualifier last week.
He finished a luckless fifth when held up at a crucial stage at his only start in a Miracle Mile last year.
Swayzee, who will start from gate one, was $12 straight after the barrier draw but has been crunched into $5.
Captains Mistress, who will start from barrier three, has eased from $2.80 to $3.20.
With Coney switching to Captains Mistress, another NSW young gun Will Rixon has snared the drive on Chase A Dream.
“I’m thrilled. It’s awesome to drive in a race like the Miracle Mile,” he said.
That only leaves Luke McCarthy to choose between stablemates Kingman and defending champion Don Hugo for his drive in the race.
Frontrunners to drive whichever pacer McCarthy doesn’t choose include Jack Callaghan, Nathan Jack and Angus Garrard.
PHOTO: Club Menangle/Pacepix
