Swayzee dances away with the $500,000 Carnival of Cups Bonus

16 March 2025

Mighty talented pacer Swayzee clinched the $500,000 Carnival of Cups Bonus winning the Renshaw Cup at Penrith on Saturday night.

This victory marked his fourth win in the Carnival of Cups series, following earlier triumphs at Parkes, Young, and Tamworth, earning him the lucrative bonus.

A second-placing in the Murray Cup at the Albury Carnival of Cups saw Swayzee narrowly miss the $1million Bonus on offer by Harness Racing New South Wales.

However, connections were in awe of Swayzee’s performance across the series, culminating in a track record-breaking performance to secure the time-honoured Renshaw Cup.

Swayzee clocked 1:54.3 in the 2525m feature, lowering the previous record of 1:55.2 set by Tiger Tara in 2017 and driver Cameron Hart was happy to “put on a show” for the 5000 racegoers that were trackside.

“It’s an incredible atmosphere here tonight and to have such a great horse here I just wanted to put on a show for everyone,” said Hart.

“Jase (Jason Grimson-trainer) said he was in incredible order since the Miracle Mile and he was ready to run a massive race tonight.

“I have to pinch myself every time I sit behind him, he’s just an amazing animal, nothing like I’ve ever driven before.

“He’s such a powerhouse horse and I’m very privileged to be the one sitting behind him.”

WATCH CAMERON HART’S FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Swayzee went on to win the feature by more than 20m with Cya Art in second and Chevron Art in third.

Part-owner Michael Boots was also trackside and said: "I had goosebumps when he was coming down the straight!"

WATCH MICHAEL BOOTS’ FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Trained by Jason Grimson, Swayzee, two-time NSW Horse of the Year, extended his earnings to $2,145,793 and will now prepare to race in Perth for the Nullabor at Gloucester Park in April.

This was the last Carnival of Cups meeting for Season 2 of the revamped series having started in Parkes last September, to Young in November, Tamworth in January and Albury in February.

Racegoers at Penrith were entertained off track by multi ARIA award-winning rock act Birds of Tokyo, Sarah McLeod as well as Cricket’s all-star band Six & Out, Sydney band Fathers Favourite – fronted by Mia Hewitt.

  

 

 

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