When you’re a thoroughbred with overly big ears, attracting the stable nickname of “Bugs” seems appropriate.
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Bugs, aka Swinging, lines up at Albury today bidding to break his maiden status before going for a well-earned spell.
Trained by Andrew Dale at Albury, the lightly raced five-year-old New Zealand-bred gelding by Savabeel tackles the Twin City Truck Centre Class 1 Hcp (1600m).
Swinging was purchased from New Zealand after the gelding had one run for group 1-winning trainer Guy Lowrie, who remains in the ownership which also includes Dale.
Being by Savabeel, the 2004 WS Cox Plate winner Swinging’s portent is over a staying distance.
That will come next preparation, Dale insisted.
His main aim now was to get a maiden win out of the way.
Swinging was most unlucky not to register his first win last time out when third to tomorrow’s rival Tribal Doctor in a 1600m Class 1 handicap at Albury on November 6.
“We tried to ride him a little differently to see if there’s another string to his bow,” Dale said.
“He was a bit unlucky not to win.
“He got a squeeze, then was held up around the 100 metres but got going late again.”
Swinging will be ridden by Simon Miller, launching from barrier 4.