By Ray Hickson
Swamp Nation is a little mare with a big heart, and trainer Glen Milligan wouldn’t be surprised if she makes a lie of her first-up record when she returns at Grafton on Wednesday.
The four-year-old showed she is above average with her win in the Mid North Coast Country Championships (1400m) at Taree in February and, although she wasn’t a factor in the final, Milligan is quietly confident she is going to be a stronger horse this season.
The Jacaranda Cup is the feature at Grafton on Wednesday.Credit:Fairfax
The XXXX Jacaranda Cup (1115m) at Grafton is the mare’s kick-off point to a preparation that is going to be taken a run at a time.
“She’s never really done a real lot first-up; she normally takes a run or two to come to hand,” Milligan said. But we are happy with her, she’s done everything right and 1100m looks an ideal race for her first-up. She likes a soft track; I wouldn’t like to see it heavy. We’re going to play it by ear with her. She could end up going to Brisbane with Lawrie Mayfield-Smith because I don’t think she can handle carrying any more than 57-58kg. She’s not a big mare and she’s as good as we can have her.”
The form guide doesn’t show any barrier trials for Swamp Nation this time in but Milligan said that’s not unusual for the stable, which relies more on the jump-outs held at Taree every two to three weeks.
Mikayla Weir has the ride.
“I expect her to run a big race. I think she runs a lot better for the girls, that’s why Mikayla Weir is on her,” Milligan said. “We half thought about putting an apprentice on to take 3kg off her back, but we’ve had more luck when the girls have ridden her.
“I expect her to be fourth or fifth parked there somewhere and hopefully she is good enough to run over them.”
Swamp Nation has won four of her 13 starts could be given another shot at the Country Championships.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
