DOOM AUG 27 - SWAY TO GO GOES ALL THE WAY

By Graham Potter | Sunday, August 28, 2011

Doomben, August 27, 2011.
Track - Slow 7. Rail - out 2m.
Class 6 Handicap (Four-year-old and up) - 1200m.
1 Sway To Go; 2 The Barracks; 3 Aladah; 4 Steel Dragon.
Time: 1-11.13. Last 600m: 35.10.
Margins: 1.25; Half-neck.

Trainer Robert Heathcote might have had a favourite gunned down in the first race, but he kept firing himself and came up with a $12.00 winner in the form of Sway To Go in the second race on the card.

With hindsight some would argue that was generous odds for a runner who had ‘slow’ and ‘heavy’ wins on his resume to recommend his chances, but the other side of the argument going in was that, while the six-year-old has been relatively consistent this campaign, he has lacked a winning edge and that is why many punters would have passed on the double figure odds.

Not that the betting market labeled anything. Minton started favourite at $4.20 with The Barracks the second choice at $4.60.

The former had won at Murwillumbah two runs back before finishing second to G’day Old Mate. He was looking to go one better. The Barracks had finished fourth behind a good one in Belltone last time out over 1350m. He was coming back in distance here to 1200m. He had raced over this track and distance in his penultimate start and had come home the winner.

Pre-race it did look to be an open event. In the running though, it became a one-horse race and that horse was Sway To Go.

With good gate-speed that allowed it to comfortably track across from a wide barrier, jockey Michael Hellyer, as per instructions, took Sway To Go into an immediate lead. Sway To Go held that advantage until the turn. At that stage Alidah ($6.00), to the outside of leader, Daneomite ($14.00), three wide, and Steel Dragon ($5.50), sitting in behind the speed, were all close enough to look to have a fair shout at the honours. The Barracks was next best in fifth spot.

On straightening the real picture unfolded.

Alidah led the chase for much of the straight. Steel Dragon kept grinding on along the inside. The Barracks produced a respectable finishing effort coming from where he was, but the bottom line was that Sway To Go had every move of his opposition covered as he maintained a stout effort to go to the line just under a length-and-a-half ahead of his nearest challenger.

Sway To Go is owned by NB Couper, G J Robinson, and P W Callaghan.

The six-year-old chestnut gelding is now a five time winner from twenty-two starts. He has also picked up eight minor placings and his stake earnings now stands at $121 030.

WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Robert Heathcote: “I think it was important here that I used the young fellow (Michael Hellyer) and used his 2kg claim.

“The kids have won on this horse two or three times. We’ve gone to senior jockeys … and nothing against senior jockeys … but maybe he is not a good weight carrier this horse.

“The 2kg’s off … brought him down to 55.5kg. I said, Michael … ton of speed, go to the front, hold him up for as long as you can. I wasn’t worried about the track. He’s shown me in the past he can handle the wet.

“Michael … he’s a good rider. He held him up. He waited till they got to him. He’d left that length kick in the tank and that was good enough to win the race.”

Jockey Michael Hellyer: “He is a horse best let slide and that’s what I let him do. He likes to roll along. He is the same in his work. I’ve galloped him a few times and he’s a horse you’ve just got to let roll along, keep him where he is happy and that’s what I did today.”

PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sway To Go): 9.50 out to 12.00.
Favourite (Mington): 3.70 out to 4.20. Finished fifth.

STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R. Heathcote advised that from its wide barrier Sway To Go (M. Hellyer) would be ridden in a forward position if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Trainer M. Dunn was reprimanded for presenting Mington to race with incorrect gear.

Sister Havana (G. Colless) jumped away awkwardly and lost considerable ground. Telesto Warrior (J. Taylor) and Steel Dragon (D. Browne) were slow to begin.

Daneomite (S. Seamer) raced three wide without cover throughout. Mington (R. Wiggins) raced three wide throughout.

The Barracks (T. Bell) laid in when placed under pressure in the straight, resulting in its rider having to stop riding and straighten the horse on several occasions.

Jockey R. Wiggins reported that Mington did not handle the rain-affected surface.

Rider J. Byrne reported that Sweepstaking never travelled comfortably and was disappointing. Trainer G. Heinrich advised stewards that Sweepstaking would now be sent to stud following its performance today. A post-race veterinary examination of Sweepstaking revealed no significant abnormalities.

More articles