Special Swey (NZ) Spectacular on Australian Debut

Special Swey was an improver through his first seven starts in New Zealand, finishing second at Matamata on March 29 before clearing maiden grade with a four-length romp at the same venue on April 19.

Now in the care of champion expat Kiwi trainer Chris Waller, Special Swey came off the ballot to make his first Australian start in the Rough Habit Plate, and he jumped at the opportunity and made a real statement.

After initially sitting in sixth, Special Swey and jockey Tyler Schiller began to roll forward with 1000 metres remaining. They charged to the front and took the race by the scruff of the neck, opening up a commanding three-length margin coming down the side of the track.

Special Swey kicked again at the home turn and was full of running all the way down the Doomben straight, never giving his 14 opponents a look in. Special Swey swept past the finish line a length and a half ahead, with favourites The Vowels (Better Than Ready) and Stroke Of Luck (Fastnet Rock) left with few excuses in second and third place.

“He won his maiden quite well at Matamata,” Waller said. “He did a bit of work on that occasion, and he was ridden similarly to how he was ridden today. Tyler Schiller obviously did his homework. It was good to watch.

“Tyler made a bold move, he went from probably the 900 metres. You put your neck on the chopping block, because trainers aren't always that forgiving. He nailed it. He knew how slow they were going and decided 'let's go'.”

Special Swey was bred by Novara Park principal Luigi Muollo under his Explosive Breeding banner. The Rough Habit Plate winner comes from a family that has already produced two Karaka graduates who won Group One Derbies – Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry) and Vin De Dance (NZ) (Roc De Cambes).

Special Swey has earned himself the chance to become a third Derby winner for the pedigree page when he lines up in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm later this month.

“He’s still behind (stablemate) Kovalica (NZ) (Ocean Park),” Waller said. “But if there’s a chink in Kovalica’s armour, this horse will run a strong 2400 metres. He’s certainly number two, but he’s putting his hand up and saying, ‘I might enjoy this Queensland life.’

“I’ve only had this horse for about 10 days. A great friend of mine, Tony Muollo, owns the horse. His brother Luigi bred the horse, so it's a good little story. Tony has been a great supporter of mine. He picked the horse out and said, ‘I think we should take this horse to Queensland.’ Full credit to Tony.”

This was the second consecutive Rough Habit Plate victory for a horse that was passed in at Karaka. Last year’s winner Dark Destroyer (NZ) (Proisir) was passed in with a $30,000 reserve in Book 2 of Karaka 2020.