Swing With Junior has been a consistent performer in Darwin for the past two years, but the Chloe Baxter-trained mare faces a solid test on Thursday.
The six-year-old steps up to open company for the first time over 1200m, and although it’s only a five-horse field, the competition is top-draw.
Siakam and Wolfburn, representing the Gary Clarke stable, have left their mark in the Top End, Chris Pollard’s Hamlet Von Snitzel brings respectable Queensland form to town; and Angela Forster’s mare Zoumist has celebrated success at Fannie Bay.
On April 12, Swing With Junior made it two wins from her past three starts when the daughter of Warhorse won by a head over 1200m (0-70).
“It’s probably going to be her toughest race to date for me, for sure,” Baxter said.
“It is a tricky race, and there are some nice horses.
“Siakam, Wolfburn and Hamlet Von Snitzel will be a big test for her, very handy horses.
“Having a light weight is a big advantage (54kg) and she’s drawn well.
“I just hope that she runs a nice race; I’ll be really happy if she finishes off.
“She’s got Wolfburn, who has plenty of speed, inside her, so I would expect her to go forward along with him.
“She’s giving me all the indications that she’s well and feeling good within herself, so if she’s thereabouts I’ll be very happy with her.”
Darwin apprentice Emma Lines, second in the Top End and Country premiership, partners the mare after guiding the former Victorian galloper to victory over 1100m (0-64) on March 1.
It was following the 2022 Darwin Cup Carnival that Baxter secured Swing With Junior from Bendigo trainer Kym Hann.
“I was keen on Swing With Junior, I got to know a little about the horse and I knew she worked really well,” Baxter said.
“She won two for Kym up here and had a couple of placings.
“She handled the dirt and the track, which is a big tick when you bring horses up here.
“I did know that Kym was looking to go home with a few less horses.
“She certainly has lived up to my expectations, she’s been super.
“She’s only a small mare, but she tries her little heart out.
“It’s hard to fault her consistency, she’s got four wins and a bunch of placings for me from 20 starts.”
Baxter now has eight horses following the recent acquisition of three-year-old filly Tilussion from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable.
“The success of the other horses are paying for Tilussion,” Baxter laughed.
“Swing With Junior and the maiden Siberian Larch, who had a nice second last Friday, are the only two I have actively racing.
“Most of the others have just come back into work to get ready for the Darwin Cup Carnival.
“I’ve got my biggest team to date going into Carnival.
“I’ve got a broad range of horses, from maidens to three-year-olds to higher rating ones, so I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into it.”
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