Bell’s Rising Star Back In Swing Of Things
Swingband is set to headline an impressive group of budding stars in this Friday’s three-year-old race at Gloucester Park.
The son of Alta Christiano went on a breathtaking run of feature race wins earlier this year, taking out the Sales Classic (2130m), Caduceus Club Classic (2130m), APG Gold Bullion (1730m) and the Pearl Classic (2130m).
He could face the likes The Miki Taker, Tricky Miki and Infinite Sign this week, who were all among the nominations earlier today.
Trainer Ryan Bell was contemplating trialling the Swingband before his return but said race pressure would be beneficial for his charge.
“I think he will need the run to bring the sharpness on,” he told The Trots WA.
“A race like that on Friday night will be better for him than going to trials and at this stage he will be there.”
WATCH – Swingband’s Pearl Classic win
Swingband’s summer and autumn form rocketed him into calculations for the Westbred Classic (2130m) and WA Derby (2536m) later this year.
Bell said he was confident the gelding hadn’t lost any of his brilliance or toughness which he showed last campaign.
“He’s still a beast,” he said.
“He had three weeks off after the Pearl Classic and we’ve just kept him ticking over for the last eight weeks.
“He’s getting on now like he’s ready to go and bored of ticking over.
“He will run on Friday, then he will have a fortnight between his next two runs and then it’s a week to the Westbred.”
While Swingband looms as a key player for the upcoming three-year-old features, Bell said he expected plenty of competition for his stable star.
“I wouldn’t swap him for anyone, but it’s not as if he’s just going to be too good for them,” he said.
“You’ve got The Miki Taker who was gutsy first-up and we know Aiden’s always improve.
“It’ll be interesting to see Tricky Miki this week as well.
“I know that our bloke is definitely up there and he’s not a one trick pony.”
Meanwhile, Bell said 2019 Golden Nugget winner Shockwave could be back at the trials as early as next month, as he prepares for a return to racing.
Shockwave hasn’t raced for almost 13 months and Bell said he was confident he would make his presence felt on return.
“He could be at the trials at the end of September and maybe even before then,” he said.
“He’s going to have to hit his straps straight away to get to the Cups and I think we have the right horse to do that.”
Tim Walker
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