2025 Nullarbor: Champion trainer Gary Hall Sr says tough draw means Swayzee can't beat Minstrel at Gloucester Park
Champion stayer Swayzee will have to do something he has never done before to win Friday night's $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park.
For all his greatness, Swayzee has been able to bludgeon his way to the front for the five biggest wins of his stellar career.
From barrier 10, as the lone back row runner and with local star Minstrel drawn so well, Swayzee won't be able to find the lead this time.
The three times Swayzee hasn't found the lead in a 'major', he has been beaten. He ran third in the 2023 Inter Dominion final, second in last year's Blacks A Fake and a luckless fourth in last month's Miracle Mile.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Since the draw, Swayzee's odds have drifted from $2 to $2.80. He's been replaced as favourite by Minstrel at $2.40.
Champion WA trainer Gary Hall Sr, who has won more major Gloucester Park races than anyone else, said the draw had ruined Swayzee's chances.
'With Minstrel drawn to lead, Swayzee can't beat him around this (Gloucester Park) track now,' he said. 'I'm not sure anything can beat Minstrel now.'
Minstrel will start from gate four and driver Deni Roberts will almost certainly work forward and take the early lead.
The winners of the two Nullarbors run so far – Betterzippit (2023) and Catch A Wave (2024) – both drew gate four.
� He came, he saw, he conquered!
Swayzee is in contention to win the $1million Carnival of Cups bonus after winning the 2024 Cherry City Cup at the Young Carnival of Cups tonight.
We caught up with driver Cam Hart after the success ðŸ'‡ pic.twitter.com/W4VLLy1UwM
— Harness Racing NSW (@HRNSW_Harness) November 8, 2024
Hall Sr admits his own runner, the exciting Mister Smartee, faces a huge task now from a wide draw (gate seven).
'I'm not sure we can win either. Our only chance is if Swayzee comes around and declares Swayzee on and we can stalk them and be the last horse standing,' he said.
Ryan Bell, who has outsider Waverider drawn gate three, is also strongly in the Minstrel corner: 'It's Minstrel's race to lose, now.'
But Swayzee's ever confident trainer Jason Grimson doesn't see barrier 10 as a major hurdle.
'I actually like it. We're the only horse off the second row and it wouldn't surprise me if we landed in front of a few of our main dangers after the start,' he said.
'He's good enough to go around and sit outside them and win, so the draw doesn't bother me.
'Sure, if he's drawn better he might have got around the field quicker, but he's got enough time (in a 2536m race) to get around and bully them.'
Grimson, who won the inaugural Nullarbor with Betterzippit and had Hot And Treacherous run seventh last year, can't wait to unleash Swayzee.
'I've brought a different horse across this year, he's a superstar,' he said.
� ID24
We caught up with driver Deni Roberts today who reflected on Minstrel's #ID24 heat win at Newcastle last night. Check it out ðŸ'‡ pic.twitter.com/kUN636cVDV
— Harness Racing NSW (@HRNSW_Harness) November 30, 2024
The gruelling staying trip is certainly Swayzee's biggest plus.
The seven-year-old has raced 11 times beyond 2500m for seven wins, two seconds, a third and a fourth.
Those wins include two NZ Cups, the Hunter Cup and a Blacks A Fake.
Interstate raiders have won both Nullarbors so far. Swayzee and defending champion Catch A Wave are the only two runners from outside WA this year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
11 hours ago
- News.com.au
Newcastle best bets, inside mail for Saturday, June 7, 2025
Racenet and The Daily Telegraph form analyst Adam Sherry provides his best bets and race-by-race analysis for Newcastle on Saturday. The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. NEWCASTLE BEST BET Race 5 No. 2: QUEEN'S RHAPSODY Resumed with a smart win and hard to beat again. NEXT BEST Nice win on a heavy track two starts back. Back to provincial grade after a sixth in town. VALUE BET Race 8 No. 1: RUSH ATTACK Freshened after failing at Hawkesbury and has trialled well since. BEST EXOTIC Quinella Race 5: 2, 5 QUADDIE Race 5: 2, 5 Race 6: 1, 2, 7, 10 Race 7: 2, 3, 10 Race 8: 1, 2, 5, 8 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Talented apprentice MOLLIE FITZGERALD has some nice rides and looks a good chance in the TAB Jockey Challenge. INSIDE MAIL – NEWCASTLE EXTRIO (9) is a two-year-old against the older horses. Sat three-wide to win her Warwick Farm trial from Confidentiality and Central Coast. Tracked speed before getting clear and closed stylish to win her May 29 Rosehill trial by over a length on a Heavy 9. COSMIC EAGLE (8) is another two-year-old filly on debut. Raced outside the leader before dashing away to win her Rosehill trial on the same day in slightly quicker time. MEDITERRA (10) also starts her career off a trial win, her one at Kembla on May 12. BOHEMIAN ART (1) was well backed on debut and raced outside the leader when a neck second behind Impressionism who kicked back to beat here on Apr 26. She bled from one nostril when fifth to Monte Veebee at Kembla second-up. Worth another chance. ZO FRILLING (9) followed three placings with a fourth to Faceoff last start. Will appreciate the extra trip. OAKFIELD EARTH (7) also debuted in that race won by Impressionism where she finished a three length sixth. Went to the tricky Quirindi track and finished a half-length fourth. Bet: Bohemian Art to win ARISTOCRAT (11) made steady ground from near last when fourth to Regulated Affair on debut then battled away on the heavy ground when sixth to Agarwood at Randwick. Winkers and tongue tie on and dropping back to provincial grade can help him break through. LORD VETTORI (3) has placed in four of his six start including second placing at his last two. Boxed on gamely behind Faceoff on a Heavy 9 at Goulburn last start. MATETE (4) has been just behind the placegetters in his four runs and won't be far away again. DIVO (2), the grandson of Makybe Diva, has won both trials this preparation. The margin wasn't great in his latest Wyong heat but it was on a Heavy 9. JUST RESPONSE (4) sat three-wide and cruised home to win on the Beaumont on May 7. Led all-the-way to beat Smashing Nova on a heavy track on the Beaumont last Monday. MAGIC FLAMES (7), the half-sister to city winner Magic Pharoah, has shown nice ability with placings in her two Randwick trials. QUEEN'S RHAPSODY (2) kicked off her second preparation with a stylish win from Missie Lee over 1100m at Hawkesbury and will appreciate stepping up to 1200m here and even further in time. Gets in well with a 3kg claim. TRUE AMOR (5) was scratched a couple of time before resuming with a length fourth to Secure at Warwick Farm on May 7. Will take benefit from the run and appreciate the drop back t provincial grade. NINGALOO REEF (1) returned with a big win at Hawkesbury. LOUNERSE (1) will appreciate a drop back in grade on her second last of 11 in the Midway at Randwick on May 24. Prior to that was a narrow winner over this track and distance. AUTUMN DREAM (2) debuted with an upset win over Hurry Miss in a Warwick Farm Super Maiden over 1300m before finishing just behind the placegetters in her next two over 1600m. CALYX ROSE (7) took improvement from her first two runs when she stepped up to 1375m to win at Cowra and followed with an all-the-way win over 1500m here on Feb 1. MISSILE SEEKER (2) missed the start by a couple of lengths before coming through the middle of the field to score by a length from Willie Oppa at Wyong on a Heavy 9. Boxed on for sixth to Piggyback at Warwick Farm last start. AIX EN PROVENCE (3) resumed with a close third to Miss Kim Kar at Canterbury first-up last campaign. Was a close second in a Midway three starts later. Trialling well. CARNEGIE HILL (10) has claims on his last start Hawkesbury win. RUSH ATTACK (1) was freshened after racing keenly and finishing down the track behind Enter The Dragon at Hawkesbury on Apr 9. Just pipped by Pocketing in a Randwick Midway and beaten a length onto seventh behind Inferencia in a Rosehill Midway. SCHOLL DEEP (8) was a three-quarter length third to Fiftyfivechevy on a Good 4 here then relished the heavy track when a smart winner over Better Explain here on May 3. Gets in well with the 3kg claim. OAKFIELD MAMSELLE (5) has a win and a second from three first-up runs. Is two from two over the mile.
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- News.com.au
Giga Kick trainer Clayton Douglas queries Joliestar ‘best horse' tag in Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup
Clayton Douglas has heard it … but he won't cop it. 'I know everyone keeps saying Joliestar is the best horse in the race, but I don't know how they work that out?' Douglas queried. 'I think it's fairly evident that Giga Kick is, he's won an Everest. What he has done is amazing. 'Yeah, Joliestar is a good mare. But I think Giga Kick should be held at least in the same regard as her. 'I would be thinking she would have to run past us to beat us, although we will wait and see. 'Tactics will be a big thing on Saturday.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! So sets the tone for a thrilling clash between the two betting fancies in Saturday's Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup which was rescheduled from a washed out Eagle Farm card seven days earlier. Bookies have pencilled it in as pretty much a clash in two. Joliestar, who counts this year's Newmarket Handicap among her two Group 1 wins and $3.9m in prizemoney, is the $2.30 favourite. Giga Kick, also boasting two Group 1 wins but also an epic triumph in the 2022 The Everest as well as $12.8m in prizemoney in the bank, is the second pick at $4. • Giga Kick does have the points against Joliestar from last year's Everest, with Giga Kick finishing runner-up and Joliestar seventh although admittedly racing without much luck. Both have had to cool their jets for an extra seven days after last Saturday's postponement. Giga Kick has not raced for a month since resuming when he was a victim of circumstances, finishing third in the Group 1 Goodwood in Adelaide when he was the $2.10 favourite. Douglas isn't fazed by the Kingsford Smith Cup racing seven days late and said Giga Kick had an important track gallop at Doomben on Wednesday. 'There were horses galloping on the course proper at Eagle Farm on Tuesday but I thought it was better waiting an extra day to gallop at Doomben when things had dried out a bit more,' Douglas said. 'I was able to get a really good gallop into him as well, he worked terrific. 'I don't think the increased gap between runs is any problem for him at all. 'This looks a really good race for him.' Win or lose on Saturday at Eagle Farm, it is likely Giga Kick will be on his way to the spelling paddock next week rather than the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. With Giga Kick weighted with 58.5kg in the Stradbroke and now having to back-up to compete in Queensland's most prestigious race, a Stradbroke mission may not be probable. But the Giga Kick camp paid up at the latest round of Stradbroke acceptances this week and Douglas says he has left the window slightly ajar. 'If he was absolutely no chance for the Stradbroke, we wouldn't have accepted in the latest round of acceptances,' Douglas said. 'We probably just accepted just in case something interesting happened. 'But we will just wait and see. 'We are leaving our options open until after Saturday.'
News.com.au
16 hours ago
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas' tips, inside mail for Randwick on Saturday: High hopes for John Sargent-trained Change My Address
Trainer John Sargent has revealed the comical explanation behind the naming of bargain basement buy, Change My Address. 'It means if she can win enough prizemoney I will be changing my address,'' Sargent said. 'If she wins The Everest or something, I will be moving to Vaucluse!' Change My Address, who got her race career off to a winning start at the midweeks, puts her perfect race record on the line in the Precise Air Handicap (1100m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday. She banked nearly $60,000 for her Warwick Farm debut win and has given part-owner Sargent a deposit if he is really serious about moving home. All this from a filly Sargent purchased for just $10,000 online. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I saw her about six weeks before the (Magic Millions) sale and I liked her then,'' Sargent said. 'At the sale, she was one of the later lots and I had already spent my money. 'They wanted $30,000 and she was passed in. Then the stud rang and told us they were putting her online and we got her for $10,000.'' Change My Address, a daughter of Group 1 winner Exceedance, handled the heavy conditions expertly on debut when she defeated her rivals comfortably. But Sargent's filly is rated a $10 chance in early TAB Fixed Odds betting behind topweight Hidden Motive, the $2.60 favourite. Don't get this one lost in the mail! ðŸ'¨ Change My Address wins on debut for @MollyBourke7 and @jsargentracing! @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 21, 2025 • 'This is a stronger field but she is well and can only do what she did at her first start,'' Sargent said. 'We know the heavy track won't bother her.'' Sargent also has promising three-year-old filly Bearings contesting the Consortium Clemenger Handicap (2000m). Bearings scored a good win in very heavy conditions at Newcastle last start but it was not enough for the filly to earn her place in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks and Sargent has lowered his sights to target the Randwick race. It's a win to Bearings in the @goulburnraces opener for @jsargentracing and @jeanvovermeire ðŸ'� — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 28, 2025 • 'I don't think she was right at home on that really heavy track at Newcastle, she couldn't really let down but still got the job done,'' Sargent said. 'This is a nice race for her Saturday, she gets in with a light weight, she has only had the three runs so we will keep her going. 'Now she missed a go in the Oaks there is no rush to go to anything so we will just give her the chance to work through her grades.'' • McEvoy chases slice of history in Queensland Oaks â– â– â– â– â– RANDWICK BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS Race 1: Matima $6-$4.40 Race 2: Engine Room $6-$5, Callistemon $15-$8 Race 3: Changing Colours $8-$5.50, Good Banter $11-$6.50 Race 4: Shropshire Lad $8-$5, Bengal $11-$6.50 including a bet of $1050 e/w at $10/$3.20, Carribean King $15-$8.50 Race 5: Hurstville Zagreb $6-$2.80 with a bet of $1000 e/w at $5/$2.10, Rotagilla $15-$6.50, Duvana $26-$11 Race 6: Federer $3.60-$3.50, Oh Diamond Lil $4.60-$3.90 Race 7: Cool Jakey $3.50-$2.80 with a bet of $2600 at $2.90, Mighty Ulysses $15-$10 Race 8: In Flight $3.50-$3.40, The Novelist $4.60-$4.40, Barber $8-$6.50, Contemporary $15-$10, Kazou $15-$10 Race 9: Whinchat $4.60-$3.80, Accredited $11-$6, Fleetwood $15-$7 Race 10: Gitalong $8-$7, Winning Proposal $15-$8.50 â– â– â– â– â– EARLY QUADDIE Race 3: 2,4,7,8 Race 4: 3,4,6,12 Race 5: 1,8,11,12 Race 6: 6,12,14 QUADDIE Race 7: 3,9,12,15 Race 8: 4,7,8 Race 9: 2,10,11,19 Race 10: 2,4,6,10 â– â– â– â– â– PRICE CHECK HURSTVILLE ZAGREB (Race 5 No.1) has firmed from $6 to $2.80 favouritism after consistent support all week including a bet of $1000 each way at $5/$2.10. But Hurstville Zagreb isn't the only well-backed runner in this race with ROTAGILLA (5) 's odds slashed from $15 to $6.50, while DUVANA (3) opened at $26 and is into $11. A winning debut for Hurstville Zagreb at Goulburn! @JohnOSheaRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 11, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– SECTIONAL STARS ELIVINA (Race 5 No.14) ran on very well when fourth to runaway winner Let's Fly at Randwick in very heavy conditions. The lightly-raced filly was timed to run her final 600m in 37.24s, one of the best of the meeting, and she broke 13s for her closing 200m split. ✈ï¸� Let's Fly makes a mess of them all at Randwick! @NockBraith | @R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedman — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 TESTATOR SILENS (Race 9 No.19) is an emergency but if he gets a run, he's a good each way chance. He has been improved by two runs from a spell including his last start effort at Randwick when he made good ground late behind Storm The Ramparts to finish sixth over 1000m, recording a closing 600m sectional of 35.72s the second fastest of the meeting in very heavy conditions. His final 200m split of 12.47s was the fastest on the day. Storm The Ramparts leads from start to finish and wins at Randwick! ðŸ'Œ Hippo gets his double! ✌ï¸� @PrideRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 24, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– TRIAL POINTERS CENTRAL COAST (Race 1 No.7) is a superbly bred colt by sire sensation Wootton Bassett out of triple Group 1 winner Sunlight who cost $1.4 million at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale last year. Trainer Chris Waller has given the equine blueblood plenty of time and the colt has had two barrier trials to prepare for his debut. Central Coast impressed in his recent trial when he settled behind the leaders, eased off heels to get out wider in the straight and closed off nicely to finish a half length second. All eyes on the runner-up: 2nd trial for 2nd foal of Sunlight - Central Coast (2c Wootton Bassett x Sunlight) $1.4mil buy foor @PMBRacing & Catherine Bruggeman from @CoolmoreAus at @inglis_sales Easter. 1st - Albany Road (2c Exceed And Excel x Miss Toorak Flyer) 650k buy for… — Breednet (@BreednetNews) May 29, 2025 FEDERER (Race 6 No.14) showed considerable promise in his debut preparation last spring, winning his first start by nearly four lengths at Ballarat then romping home by six lengths at Sandown. He failed at Caulfield and was spelled. The four-year-old by champion Arrowfield Stud sire Dundeel out of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka has had two barrier trials in recent weeks, improving noticeably in his Warwick Farm heat on May 26 when he finishing strongly for a close second. "I said if this horse gets beat at his first start, I'm going to give up training." It's fair to say Declan Maher has a good opinion of Federer ðŸ'' @cmaherracing — (@Racing) August 8, 2024 â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET HIDDEN MOTIVE (Race 1 No.1) came off minor placings in strong two-year-old form races with a dominant win at Hawkesbury last start. Hidden Motive settled on speed but was kept under a tight hold before he cruised to the front at the 300m and raced away to win by nearly four lengths. His winning margin could have been doubled if his rider put the colt under more pressure. Promising two-year-old who handled soft 7 conditions well last start, he is drawn to get all the favours and should be too good for his rivals. The Private Harry connection of trainer @NathanDoyle015, syndicator Sean Driver and jockey @AshMorgan6 will combine with another boom young sprinter Hidden Motive at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Story: @RayThomas_1 ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 5, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– VALUE CONVERGENT (Race 2 No.10) is a rising five-year-old who only made his debut on Anzac Day where he settled a clear last in a small field, went wide on the turn, and reeled in his rivals to score an impressive win. He has had a barrier trial between runs but has been kept fresh for this 1500m race. Emerging stayer and although he is eligible for easier races, he's good each way value at $12.
