Swap Over after eleven starts finally delivered on the promise he'd shown when he cleared maiden harness racing ranks at Ascot Park yesterday.
The now four year old started his career by running in the 2015 Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham- the race was won by Waikiki Beach. Since then the Changeover entire has started first favourite three times on the back of good workouts form but he has failed to deliver.
"He's had a lot of bad luck really. He was going to win at Winton and the cart split in half and Nathan had to pull him up," said trainer Brent Shirley.
Swap Over from a good draw yesterday was taken wide going into the first bend by junior reinsman Matt Anderson before going to the front. He held on to win by a neck from Ideal Denario.
He's owned by Shirley's wife Raywyn, Ross Anderson and his sister Donna Proudman.
Swap Over with winning connections Photo Bruce Stewart
"I think he'll be sold to Australia" said Shirley when discussing Swap Overs future.
He's out of the Live Or Die mare Jenna Franco. Swap Over's full-brother My Wee Man won for Nigel McGrath earlier this month at Rangiora.
Later in the programme class pacer Costa Del Magnifico returned to winning form with a stunning victory in the House Of Travel Lakers Summer Cup.
He began brilliantly from the 50 metre mark and with 1600 metres to run driver Nathan Williamson took him to the front leaving second favourite The Big Boss parked. Williamson let him run from the top of the straight and he went down to the finish line untouched to win by five and a half lengths. Flashing On was the best of the rest running on for second.
"Nathan says be felt real sharp and he's where he should be. The Omakau run although hard didn't knock him and he's pulled up real good after the run yesterday too. The next race for him is the Invercargill Cup. He's started twice in Country Cups races now and won so he's qualified for the final. We don't have to push him like we had to last season," said Shirley.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing