Swayzee's NZ Cup Win. Photo courtesy Harness Racing NZ.
THE Victoria Cup is one of few major races to escape the juggernaut that is Jason Grimson.
But that’s something the powerhouse and sometimes divisive Menangle trainer wants to address at Melton on October 12.
Since bursting onto the scene with the upset win on protest of Boncel Benjamin in the 2021 Sydney Inter Dominion final at Menangle, Grimson has emerged as the single biggest open-class force in Australasia.
He added a second Inter Dominion crown with I Cast No Shadow in 2022, has won two Group 1 Blacks A Fakes, a Group 1 Messenger in Auckland as well as majors like the Chariots Of Fire and Len Smith Mile at Menangle.
But Grimson’s biggest was last November when Swayzee became just the second Aussie-trained pacer since My Lightning Blue way back in 1987 to beat the Kiwis in their iconic NZ Cup at Addington.
Swayzee, who has since chased home pin-up pacer Leap To Fame in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final and July’s Blacks A Fake, will headline Grimson’s quest to win his first $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup.
But the trainer hopes to have as many as three runners in the race widely regarded as the Cox Plate of harness racing. His only previous starter in the race was Hi Manameisjeff, who didn't handle the track when eighth behind Act Now last year.
Grimson’s other key contenders, District Attorney and Major Moth, will press their claims for a spot in the Victoria Cup through Friday night’s $75,000 Group 2 Kilmore Cup.
“Swayzee is my best horse. He’s my benchmark and can win from anywhere in his races,” he said.
“He’s my best hope of winning (the Victoria Cup), but the other two are on the up and good enough with the right runs.”
Swayzee, who returned from a spell with a dominant win in the $60,000 The Dish at Parkes last Friday night, won’t race again before the Victoria Cup.
“No, he’ll trial 10 days before it, just to keep up to the mark,” Grimson said.
While District Attorney, who boasts a win over champion pacer Leap To Fame this season, looks safely in the Victoria Cup field, Grimson concedes Major Moth will need a big showing at Kilmore.
“He’ll need top three I reckon and I’m confident he’ll get that,” he said.
Major Moth won his first three runs for Grimson, but tired to finish eighth after burning early to lead in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on September 7.
“It was his first mile race at Menangle and a different level of pressure, especially early, to what he was used to,” he said. “I’d forgive that run and his work with District Attorney (at Menangle) this week has been terrific.
“They both head to Kilmore in the right frame of mind and with great chances.
“I’d lean slightly to District Attorney (barrier four), purely because he’s drawn a bit better than Major Moth (six), but there’s nothing between them on ability.”
Grimson confirmed new stable driver Jack Callaghan, who now works for Grimson, would take the reins on District Attorney, while Swayzee’s regular driver, Cam Hart, would be aboard Major Moth.
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
