Aussie Swiper Chasing Change Of Luck

AUSSIE Swiper shouldn't be lining up in Wednesday night's heats of the Ladbrokes Magic Maiden (520m) at Wentworth Park.

But she is and her trainer Troy Vella is hoping to make the most of it.

At Dapto last Thursday night, Aussie Swiper, a daughter of Aussie Infrared, was all set to break her maiden status before a power outage resulted in the race being abandoned.

"She was going to the front and looked like she was going to race right away from them … she's a very quick bitch," said Vella.

"Hopefully what happened at Dapto ends up being a blessing in disguise and she goes well tomorrow night. She definitely deserves a change in luck. She's had none so far."

Aussie Swiper takes her place from box six in the second Magic Maiden heat, next week's final carrying $10,000 to the winner.

And while her record reads just two third placings from six starts, it's a set of statistics that doesn't in any way indicate the ability she possesses.

"I've probably broken-in 200 dogs at Richmond in the past 18 months and she's the quickest of the lot," Vella said.

"And I don't say that because she's mine. First go out of the puppy boxes she went 15.30 before running 15.18 and 15.10 … there's not many that do that. She's very quick.

"She went 22.50 over the 400 at Richmond in pre-training and after that run I got a pretty big offer from Melbourne. It was a tempting one but I decided to hold on to her."

Bad box draws and an exasperating run of misfortune in her races has conspired against Aussie Swiper breaking her maiden status.

"Before she debuted she was the talk of the track – she was backed from $9 into $2 at her first start at Richmond," Vella said.

"She's just had no luck in her races and the confidence knocked out of her. Looking back I probably shouldn't have started her over the sprints but running the times she was you think you can get away with it."

Vella, winner of the Group 1 Vic Peters Classic in 2013 with Belfast Johnny, ventures to Wentworth Park on Wednesday hopeful that a change in scenery can bring about a difference in fortunes and put the rising two-year-old back on the right track.

"I slipped her at Wentworth Park before all the coronavirus stuff and she went nice," Vella said.

"I was going to put her in the maiden there at Easter but even if it had been on I decided she was too immature at the time.

"I really think we'll see the best of her when she draws the rails and can string a few wins together and get some confidence up.

"Hopefully what happened with the lure stopping last Thursday doesn't cause any issues either. I don't think it will though … she's a really good chaser.

"If she could make the final I'd be stoked and hope then she draws inside in the final. She deserves a change of luck that's for sure!"