Aardies Express Photo by Club Menangle
NOBODY knows how to beat champion pacer Leap To Fame better than Jason Grimson.
The NSW trainer famously upstaged Leap To Fame with his stable star Swayzee in last year's Blacks A Fake.
More recently, Grimson's new stable addition District Attorney stunned everybody when he came off Leap To Fame's back and ran him down in the Patrons Purse at Redcliffe on June 21.
It was Leap To Fame's only defeat in his past 16 starts.
Grimson is growing in confidence that he can cause an upset again in tomorrow night's $200,000 Group 1 Sunshine Sprint (1660m) at Albion Park.
While Leap To Fame totally dominates betting at $1.30 in the Sunshine Sprint, Grimson has strength of numbers with four runners – District Attorney, Hector, Nerano and Hi Manameisjeff - in the 10-horse field.
"I really like District Attorney; I think he can beat him again," Grimson said.
"I was a bit disappointed with District Attorney last time, but we led up on him, and he just switched off in front. He's much better than that."
"This time he's drawn to lead early and then sit on the back on Leap To Fame, which suits him ideally."
"That's how he beat him at Redcliffe, and I think he's a great chance of doing it again."
"I've got some good chances across a few races on Saturday night, but I think District Attorney is my best chance."
"Don't rule out Nerano, too. He's really dangerous if they go hard, and he gets the last shot at them from off the speed."
Grimson also warned not to discount Hi Manameisjeff, who has won seven of eight starts since joining his stable, but will start from outside the back row.
"I think I'll tell Cam (Hart, driver) to punch through from the back row and get straight around outside the leader, which will suit this horse," he said.
Grimson is also a key part of the other big rivalry on Saturday as trainer of boom former Kiwi mare Aardies Express, who has a rematch with Australia's champion mare Ladies In Red in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl.
Aardies Express upset Ladies In Red at their only clash when she came from back in the field to run her down in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle on May 4.
"She'll be hard to beat again. I know Ladies In Red has a better draw, but my mare is very, very tough," he said.
"I think the race is more open than just the two top mares. I've got Tay Tay and Illavabubbles in it, and Tay Tay is absolutely flying."
"If they go really hard up front, which looks likely, Tay Tay will be the one flying home at the finish."
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
