Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos
The Charlotte Littlefield-trained 3-year-old has commanded plenty of attention after dominant wins as an odds-on favourite in his two career starts to date, both over 1200 metres at Ballarat under Craig Williams.
Littlefield, who trains out of Pakenham Racecourse, is excited about Big Swinger’s (Trapeze Artist) prospects at his first attempt in stakes but is also under no illusions about the task ahead.
Ready to rumble
“He's ready to rumble,” Littlefield said. “Obviously, it’s a big step-up tomorrow and I think he is short enough in the market. He is a very green horse who is taking on a lot more experienced horses tomorrow but I think he’ll still run well, it’s just how he copes with the crowd and the day.
“He (Big Swinger) is a very green horse who is taking on a lot more experienced horses tomorrow but I think he’ll still run well, it’s just how he copes with the crowd and the day.” - Charlotte Littlefield
“The track might be quite firm later on in the day and he has only run on a soft tracks so, there is still a couple of ‘What ifs?’ but he still a very talented horse and hopefully we see that talent on show tomorrow.
“He is a big horse, he’s 16’2 and got a massive stride length so I think that long straight will really benefit him.
“Craig (Williams) got off him when he first trialled him at Cranbourne and said, ‘I thought Modown was good but this is a weapon’. He’s done nothing to disappoint so far. He’s still a very young immature horse which is why I think he’ll be a lot better next prep. However, I still think he’s very well equipped to go well tomorrow.”
Charlotte Littlefield with Big Swinger | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
After disposing of his rivals by almost 4l at start two, Big Swinger was crunched in betting to win the G1 Coolmore Stud S., however Littlefield elected to bypass the 3-year-old feature, won by Switzerland (Snitzel), with an eye on the future.
“The money for him in the Coolmore didn’t really surprise me,” Littlefield said. “I think he’s a really nice horse but it was just a step too far.
Big Swinger | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“That was an incredibly talented field, a good edition so we saw that and decided to wait. I think the straight course would have suited him but then again he is a little immature and may have become lost. I’m happier at 1400 metres round a turn and happy we didn’t go to the Coolmore (Stud Stakes).
Learning to settle
“He’s had the two conditioning runs over the 1200 metres now. The important part for me to see last start was that he could settle, even with that slow tempo behind another horse and switch off and still motor home and put that 4l gap on them.
“Off a truer run test tomorrow at the 1400 metres, I think he will settle beautifully and then let rip. We would like to see him cuddled as long as possible and then produced down the outside.”
“Off a truer run test tomorrow at the 1400 metres, I think he (Big Swinger) will settle beautifully and then let rip. We would like to see him cuddled as long as possible and then produced down the outside.” - Charlotte Littlefield
Williams, who will stick with Big Swinger on Tuesday, was glowing in his report after the gelding’s debut win, hinting at an exciting career ahead.
“Charlotte introduced me to this horse and said ‘I think he is really special’ and she didn’t disappoint me,” Williams said post-race.
“He’s still a work in progress but there is a lot to like about him.
Craig Williams aboard Big Swinger | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“He’s got great ability, a big motor and a big horse to work with.
“His improvement will come naturally with racing, with Charlotte placing him to perfection to get the best out of him and develop him and bring him along.
“He’s a very exciting horse.”
“His (Big Swinger) improvement will come naturally with racing... He’s a very exciting horse.” - Craig Williams
Williams in form
Williams is in white-hot form and will be looking to claim his fifth black-type win this Spring after saluting on superstar Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai), Bellatrix Star (Star Witness), Onesmoothoperator (USA) (Dialed In {USA}) and Aviatress (Smart Missile). Littlefield believes the association with the star jockey is invaluable.
“It’s certainly good having Craig aboard,” Littlefield said. “He is so good with the owners. He gives you good feedback on a horse, he runs you through it – he loves going through the race plan with us. He is a just so professional and so giving with his time.
“He (Craig Williams) is so good with the owners. He gives you good feedback on a horse, he runs you through it – he loves going through the race plan with us. He is a just so professional and so giving with his time.” - Charlotte Littlefield
“He has really clicked with this horse and at the moment he is riding exceptionally well.
“I called him before Big Swinger’s first trial and said I’ve got one for you. Before he got on I said, he’s green, he’s very hyper, his legs go everywhere but I really like him and I think you will too. He got off him and he said, I really like him – you’re right.
“We don’t put Craig on everything we only reserve horses that are going to be city-level but he can then tell me if I’m dreaming or really on the money. Luckily, we’ve been on the money each time so far.”
“We don’t put Craig (Williams) on everything we only reserve horses that are going to be city-level but he can then tell me if I’m dreaming or really on the money.” - Charlotte Littlefield
Littlefield purchased Big Swinger for $180,000 at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions from Arrowfield Stud’s draft. He is a three-quarter brother to dual Group 3 winner Sylvia’s Mother (Snitzel), being out of Found The One (Bel Espirit), a full sister to Bel Mer which is the dam of Listed winner All Too Royal (All Too Hard) and this year’s G3 Gimcrack S. winner Bel Merci (Extreme Choice), which is currently second favourite for the G1 Golden Slipper. However, Littlefield suggested it was more than just his deep pedigree page that made her take notice.
“For me it’s all about type and affordability,” Littlefield said. “On type he was lovely and big and strong. He had a really good head on him, which is what caught my eye straight away. Every time I went to see him, which was about eight times, he just walked with such purpose and he was just so keen to work. He came out full of beans every time and I just thought, this horse has a great attitude.
“I’ve got a few stipulations when I go to buy at a sale; it has to be off a proven stud, it has to be out of a proven mare and it has to have a Group 1 winner on the page so, he ticked all the boxes.”
Big Swinger as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Big Swinger has been installed as the $3.20 favourite to add even more black-type to his page, however Littlefield has indicated that win, lose or draw the gelding will be sent for a spell with an eye on Autumn features.
“He’s definitely going to be a massive improver as an Autumn 3-year-old. We’ll raise the bar then,” Littlefield said.
Big Swinger has drawn barrier 7 in the nine-horse field, with the Listed Amanda Elliott (1400 metres) scheduled to jump at 3.50pm AEDT.
