Ken Casellas | Photo: Hamilton Content Creators
“He’s the best horse I’ve driven in a race,” beamed talented young reinsman Kyle Symington after guiding brilliant three-year-old Swingband to a stylish victory in the 2130m Noah and Cruz George Pace at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Swingband, the $2.20 favourite, overcame the disadvantage of starting from the outside barrier (No. 9) and was most impressive in winning by a half-length from the gallant The Miki Taker ($4), with Maungatahi ($3.70) in third place.
Polemarker Maungatahi led for the first lap before he surrendered the lead to Swingband, who had settled in eleventh position and then sustained a spirited three-wide burst to assume control.
“It was lovely to sit behind a horse who you can drive however the race presents,” said the 20-year-old Symington. “He is versatile, and tonight I thought the best option was to get in front of The Miki Taker. And it was ideal when I had the opportunity to follow the three-wide run of Seven No Trumps and to get to the breeze.
“The Miki Taker is a quality horse, but Swingband never felt like he was going to let him run past him. I know that The Miki Taker is quite a lazy horse, so he wasn’t going to zap us.”
The Miki Taker started from the outside of the back line and settled down in tenth position before Trent Wheeler started a three-wide move 1200m from home. The Miki Taker quickly moved to the breeze, and he finished with great determination.
Swingband, an Alta Christiano gelding, has already amassed $188,492 in prizemoney from eleven wins and three placings from 17 starts. He is developing into one of the favourites for the $100,000 Westbred classic for colts and geldings on September 9 and the $200,000 WA Derby on November 4.