“Almost a trainwreck” was the feedback from jockey Ben Allen to connections of Big Swinger, who was a narrow winner at Caulfield on Saturday.
The Charlotte Littlefield trained three-year-old was heavily supported, jumping a $1.80 favourite in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap (1200m) and would’ve been a tragedy beaten, held up and racing keenly between runners throughout.
Allen was eventually able to extricate to the outside of runners at the 200m mark and Big Swinger surged late to run down Flyer ($21) by a half-head, with 1-1/4 lengths back to $5.50 betting app chance No Fooling in third.
Stable representative and Littlefield’s husband Julian Hay said the win backed up everything they’ve seen from the gelding at home.
“Wow. About a hundred (metres) to go, we were in all sorts,” Hay said.
“We were going to run an unlucky fifth, it takes a good horse to do that.
“He likes going pretty quick this horse and they just weren’t going quick enough for him, but to get out like that and to really fly was a really thrilling win.
“He’s the best horse we’ve ever trained, I think. He’s got that much ability.
“It’s scary at track work, what sort of times he can run.”
While there’s temptation to run in the Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) on July 5th, Hay said it’s likely Big Swinger will have a break and look to the Spring.
“Charlotte’s leaning towards giving him a break. He’s still very soft boned. He’s got a very long barrel. He’s a long horse, and he’s just not there yet,” Hay said
“So we’ve got him here today, he’s won well. But I think she’s keen to give him a little break and attack the late spring.”
Ben Allen continued a hot run of form, notching up his second winner of the day having ridden the Ciaron Maher trained two-year-old filly Salty Pearl to victory earlier, and said Big Swinger will learn plenty from the win.
“He’s still learning the horse. He was quite keen,” Allen said.
“The way he put them away today, and for the run he had, if he can be able to do that, I think he’s going to be quite a smart horse. He’ll go through his grades very well.”
