Defending champion ruled out of IRT NZ Trotting Cup

By Adam Hamilton

Swayzee won’t be back to defend his IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup crown at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 12 , but his trainer Jason Grimson remains focused on winning it again.

Grimson revealed in an interview on Trackside’s Friday Night Lights show that Swayzee would not be crossing the ditch again this year.

Instead, the multiple Group 1 winner will stay in NSW to target the bolstered NSW Country Cups circuit – which carries a possible $1 million bonus – and the Inter Dominion series.

No doubt the prospect of avoiding the rampaging Leap To Fame, who is being set for Addington, was part of the decision.

“We’ve decided to play at home with him,” Grimson said.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t be going back to try and win the (NZ) Cup again.

“Major Moth and District Attorney are the two horses I’m setting for it this year.”

District Attorney has raced five times for Grimson for two wins – including a shock victory over Leap To Fame – and two placings.

He ran second to Leap To Fame in the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint two starts back.

But he has never raced from a standing-start.

In contrast, former top-flight Victorian juvenile Major Moth won from a standing-start in Tasmania late last year while still trained by Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.

Major Moth has turned heads everywhere with two sparkling Albion Park wins – albeit in moderate company – from his only starts since joining Grimson’s stable.

“I’ve got all the team back at Menangle now,” Grimson said. “Major Moth will run at Menangle next week and go to the (Group 1) Len Smith Mile (September 7).

“After that, we’re looking at the Victoria Cup before NZ.”