Pacing sensation joins select group of stars

PACING sensation Swayzee joined a select group of stars with his win in Melton just moments ago.

Proving too good for a stellar field, Swayzee became just the fifth to capture the southern hemisphere's premier Cups - A G Hunter and New Zealand.

Winner of the last two New Zealand Cups, the Jason Grimson-trained gelding completed the second part of the equation with a track record performance.

As such, Swayzee has joined the likes of Blossom Lady, Yulestar, Arden Rooney and Lazarus.

Blossom Lady set the benchmark with her New Zealand Cup success in 1992 before capturing the Hunter Cup in '94 and '95.

Yulestar repeated the dose in 2000, followed by Arden Rooney in 2015 and Lazarus with his homeland wins in '16 and '17 and Hunter Cup glory in 2018.

Driven by Cam Hart, Swayzee was given time to settle from his second row draw before being sent to the lead during the middle stage, leaving his young half-brother, Leap To Fame, to work in the 'death seat'.

Digging deep along the home straight, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven fought off a gallant Leap To Fame to score by a head.

After travelling two-back along the pegs, Republican Party was a half-neck away third.

"That was pretty cool to watch, seeing all those good horses go to the line like that," Grimson said. "I'm just glad he stuck his head out when he did.

"He's a freak and it is great to watch good horses like that race each other."

Rating 1:51.9 for the 2760-metre journey, Swayzee slashed 1.3 seconds from Tiger Tara's track record established in the 2019 Hunter Cup.