Swayzee's compelling stats heading into tonight's NZ Messenger

By Brittany Graham 

While it’s been ‘close but no cigar’ for Swayzee this Kiwi campaign, he gets his best chance at more Group 1 success when he lines up from the inside draw in tonight's Dawson Harford New Zealand Messenger (8.57pm) at Alexandra Park.

Running third in $1m The Race by Sport Nation, Taylor Mile and Roy Purdon Memorial so far, he has banked $118,000 this trip across the Tasman to take his career earnings to over $2,750,000.

While he has been a constant and key contender on the Grand Circuit for the last four seasons, the now eight-year-old comes into his own at the staying trips.

And with Messenger staged over 2700m, he is set to be at his most brutal yet.  

The trainer/driver combination of Jason Grimson and Cameron Hart also know what it takes to win this race, after proving successful in 2022 with Majestic Cruiser – the quickest New Zealand Messenger to date in 3.13.1.

When you crunch the numbers, Swayzee’s staying prowess is quite remarkable.

With 13 starts over 2600m or further, he has won on eight occasions – included in that haul is back-to-back New Zealand Trotting Cups, a pair of A G Hunter Cups and Blacks A Fake Championship.

He has rarely missed with a further four staying placings and finishing no further back than fourth. 

He faces stiff competition though, in a young brigade with speed in their legs.

It’s certainly been a fight back carnival for the locals with The Lazarus Effect and Got The Chocolates turning the trend of Australian dominance in recent times, with the latter the prohibitive $1.50 favourite.

Tune into Friday Night Lights from 4.30pm for the five Group 1s from Alexandra Park, while the Superstars Championship (Marketplace and co) takes centre stage at Addington. 

To see The Messenger field click here