Well done Australia – The NZ Trotting Cup is yours

by Duane Ranger

The Jason Gimson-trained and Cam Hart-driven, Swayzee. has become the first Australian-based pacer in eight years to win the coveted Group One New Zealand Trotting Cup.

The 5-year-old Rock N Roll Heaven-Lettucereason (by Art Major) gelding won the $750,000 Group One feature pace easily by almost three lengths. The last time an Australian-based pacer won the prestigious Cup was the Kerry Manning trained and driven, Arden Rooney, in 2015.

Menangle Park-based Swayzee hit the lead at the half-way point of the 3,200-metre stand, and from that point no one else could catch him – not even New Zealand’s best pacer – Akuta (Mark Purdon), who trailed the second favourite from the 400m.

The New South Wales bay won by 2 1/2 lengths, 2 3/4 lengths, and 3/4 length from Akuta, Beach Ball (Kevin Chapman) and American me (Sarah O’Reilly).

Swayzee paced stopped the clock in 3:56.6 (mile rate 1:58.9). Last 800m: 57.9 and 400m: 28.5.

Swayzee has now raced 44 times for 18 wins and eight placings, and won $860,269 in stakes. He banked $412,500 for his first New Zealand start today.

He is owned by Boots Properties Racing Pty Ltd, L F Drake, N H Jackson, J R Grimson – and was bred by Redbank Lodge Standardbreds in Thredbo, New South Wales.

Half an hour after the New Zealand Cup Swayzee was still the $4.50 second favourite, behind Queenslander, Leap To Fame to win the 2023 Interdominion Grand Final at Albion Park on .Saturday December 16.

Foremost all the gun pacers from today’s New Zealand Cup are likely to line up over the 1,980 mobile sprint journey on Friday (Show day Canterbury Holiday).