No HK or Coolmore for Big Swinger

He has been reduced from $51 to $15 for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Saturday, but Big Swinger will not take his place on Derby Day even though he will continue racing in Australia.

Unsurprisingly, Hong Kong is knocking on the door for Charlotte Littlefield’s unbeaten galloper, who has impressed with a pair of Ballarat wins.

The son of Trapeze Artist is likely to compete in the Listed The Amanda Elliott (1400m) instead on Melbourne Cup Day.

“It’s owned by much smaller shareholders, so nothing would make it life-changing for them to sell it,” Littlefield said.

“I don’t think anyone with a five percent share or less has any interest in selling a horse to Hong Kong, so he will definitely stay here.”

Littlefield collected the horse that Craig Williams has labeled a ‘weapon’ on Friday afternoon from a dressage arena where he has been since his 3.75 length victory on October 17.

“He was a little quiet (after the race), he puts a lot into his racing days and he’s still mentally immature, so it surprises him when he goes to the races,” she explained.

“I think you can probably ruin a good horse like him if you put him too much at this stage of his career.

“Melbourne Cup Day will still be high pressure but there is probably less pressure and it takes him through his class and you are not up against horses like Traffic Warden.

“Probably the next preparation is when I want to put that Group 1 pressure on him and myself.”

Littlefield purchased the ownerless horse for $180,000 at the 2023 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.

It was the most she had paid for a yearling at the time, stretching her original $150,000 budget as she surpassed Team Corstens.

WATCH: Big Swinger wins dominantly at Ballarat