Change of plan for two-time NZ Cup champion Swayzee

By Adam Hamilton 

Dual IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Swayzee is poised to be a shock starter in Saturday week’s $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle.

The powerhouse seven-year-old will trial at Menangle tomorrow (Wednesday) and if he pleases connections, they will run him first-up in the Len Smith.

Swayzee hasn’t raced since finishing fourth in the $1.25mil Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25.

His last run in a high-profile sprint race was a luckless fourth when held-up in traffic in the $1m Miracle Mile on March 8.

Such is his class and profile, Swayzee was immediately installed a $3 favourite for the Len Smith when news of his revised racing plans spread.

Previously, it was expected Swayzee would have some build-up racing at Menangle before heading to Melton for a defence of his $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup crown on October 18.

He is a lock to return to Addington to chase a remarkable third successive NZ Cup win on November 11.

Trainer Jason Grimson hopes to have a twin-pronged Len Smith attack with the forgotten and injury-plagued speedster Hi Manameisjeff also aiming first-up at the race.

The eight-year-old hasn’t raced for almost 14 months when he ran last in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake behind Leap To Fame at Albion Park on July 27, 2024.

Hi Manameisjeff had won seven of his previous eight mile starts at Menangle for Grimson.

The injuries have restricted the Kiwi-bred son of Art Major to just 36 starts for 20 wins.