Harness racing's biggest rivalry set to resume

By Adam Hamilton

Mighty stayer Swayzee has local champion Leap To Fame in his sights again.

Swayzee famously and controversially upstaged his younger sibling when they first clashed in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake almost a year ago.

The only time they’ve met since delivered redemption for Leap To Fame when he turned the tables and relegated Swayzee into third place in the Brisbane Inter Dominion Final at Albion Park on December 16.

In between, Swayzee stamped his status by becoming just the second Aussie-trained pacer 38 years to win the iconic NZ Trotting Cup in Christchurch last November.

But Leap To Fame managed to trump that.

Grant Dixon’s amazing pacer completed harness racing’s “Triple Crown” – Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile – last campaign.

He became only the second pacer, and the first since the great Preux Chevalier way back in 1985, to win all three mega races in the same campaign.

But he did so without having to contend with his major rival, Swayzee, in the second two of those races.

Leap To Fame is on a winning rampage. He should stretch the streak to 14 wins from an ideal draw (gate two) in Friday night’s Patrons Purse at Redcliffe.

The NSW-trained Swayzee is back in Brisbane and will race this weekend, but not against Leap To Fame.

Instead, Jason Grimson’s stable star will dominate betting in the Lucky Creed Pace over his favoured 2680m staying trip at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Grimson insists Swayzee has come back “at least as well” as last campaign after two easy wins in brilliant time at Menangle and expects to him continue the theme on Saturday night.

So, the scene is set for Round Three between the siblings, but the question is when and in what race?

It may not be until the $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 27.

That’s because Leap To Fame is headed towards the $100,000 Group 2 Redcliffe Cup on Saturday week and the $200,000 Group 1 Sunshine Sprint on July 20.

Grimson has indicated neither race is on the radar for Swayzee.

As great as Leap To Fame’s dominance has been – he’s won 37 of his 47 starts and hasn’t lost since November 4, last year – Swayzee has shown he is the one pacer, if there is one, who can take on the champ at his own game and seriously test, maybe even beat him.

Young gun Jack Callaghan will drive Swayzee for the first time on Saturday night after strapping him when Cam Hart drove him to win last year’s NZ Cup.

“He’s a beast and will be the best horse I’ve driven,” he said.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity, but I’m sure I’m just warming the seat for Cam when the biggest races come around.”