Trainer Ryan Bell is confident Swingband can make up for a mishap in his last race by impressing in the $50,000 APG Gold Bullion final for three-year-old colts and geldings at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Swingband was the hot fancy going in to his heat on Tuesday of last week but had to be retired from the race after breaking in to a fierce gallop soon after the start.
Impressive trials
It was a big setback for Bell who had high hopes going in to the race. However the trainer has been buoyed by two impressive trials since then and hopes are high heading in to Friday night’s assignment.
“I was extremely happy with him leading into that race, but when he galloped, I was back to the drawing board,” Bell said of the mishap in the heat.
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“So, I took him to trials at Northam last Saturday, and he didn’t put a foot wrong. He ran good time and wasn’t extended in winning the trial after he settled well before taking off to set the pace. We went to Byford the following day when he felt even better. He had a satisfactory jump-out.”
Awkward barrier draw
Bell says he could have done without being drawn in barrier five. Even so if all goes according to plan he believes his charge has enough talent to overcome it.
“It’s only over a mile (1730m), so we will have to come out all guns blazing, particularly as Rock On Top (barrier seven) is pretty slick out of the machine.” said Bell. “I’m pretty confident that if he’s on his best behaviour he can hold Rock On Top, who is a fast horse.”
