Star pacer to lead the charge

JUST like the trusty steeds during the Battle of Beersheba, star pacer Swayzee will lead the charge at Club Menangle tomorrow night.

During the Great War, a series of allied attacks took place on October 31, 1917, with the ANZAC Mounted Division among the first in action.

Shortly afterwards, a mounted infantry charge by the Australian Mounted Division’s 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments (4th Light Horse Brigade) took place.

With bayonets in their hands and their rifles slung across their back, the Aussie’s captured Beersheba and part of the enemy garrison as it withdrew.

It was a bold tactic never seen before and caught the enemy off guard.

The victory proved to be a significant turning point of the war by breaking the Turkish defensive line from Gaza to Beersheba.

Proud of its strong connections to the Light Horse Regiments, Club Menangle hosts a special service on the anniversary of the battle.

While the world class venue is now the site of the southern hemisphere’s premier racetrack, during the war the land was used as a training ground for divisions of the Australian Light Horse Infantry Regiment based at Holsworthy.

As for tomorrow night's stellar program, Swayzee is poised to round off his New Zealand Cup campaign against a handy field of open class opponents.

Winless from his two starts this campaign, Swayzee has been kept fresh since his second behind subsequent Victoria Cup winner, Kingman, on October 4.

Although the widest drawn in barrier 10, the Jason Grimson-trained son of Rock N Roll Heaven remains a short-priced favourite.

Booked to fly across the Tasman on November 9, Swayzee needs to perform at his best to warrant the trip according to Grimson.

Swayzee has won the last two New Zealand Cups.