Leap To Fame’s older brother Swayzee upstaged him again in another epic Hunter Cup and denied him a $1 million bonus at Melton last night.
Just as he did last year, Swayzee used a better barrier draw to lead and fend-off Leap To Fame in a tight finish with NZ’s best pacer Republican Party a close third. It was the same trifecta as last year.
Despite being headed off by Leap To Fame on the home turn, Swayzee’s driver Cam Hart never lost faith.
“When Leap To Fame only got a head in front, I knew my guy would kick-back like he always does,” he said. “Just when I thought I was holding Leap To Fame, I had to look back to the inside and fend off Republican Party.”
Despite racing in an era dominated by Leap To Fame, Swayzee has proven himself a champion stayer with two Hunter and two NZ Cup wins, along with a Victoria Cup and Blacks A Fake triumph.
“This sits right up with the best moments I’ve had,” Hart said. “Last year’s Hunter Cup was really special, but this was a stronger field again and had such a big build up.
“He’s just been such an amazing horse to me. Jase (Grimson, trainer) has done an incredible job with him.”
Grimson has nursed Swayzee back from a career-threatening bowel infection which sidelined him for much of the middle stages of last year.
“We wondered if he’d make it back for a while,” owner Mick Boots said. “I honestly would’ve been happy with a top four finish tonight, but he just doesn’t like getting beaten, does he.”
Leap To Fame was racing for a new $1 million bonus after winning the Ballarat, Cranbourne and Ballarat Cups at his previous three starts.
There was early drama when reigning NZ and Victoria Cup winner Kingman was checked and galloped soon after the start.
“The horse went amazing to pick himself up again and still be there at the top of the straight. I was really proud of the horse and he came through it well,” Kingman’s trainer-driver Luke McCarthy said.
More drama followed the race when Republican Party’s part-owner Greg Ayres lodged a protest against the photo-finish result for second, which the judge gave to Leap To Fame by a nose.
“I disputed the photo because you could see a discrepancy, but the stewards stayed with the judge’s decision and I respect that,” Ayres said.
“Our horse ran a great race and we love coming to Australia so there are no hard feelings.”
Emma Stewart’s star stayer Miki To Success was he first locally-trained pacer home with a booming run for fourth.
