Driver Cameron Hart.
NEW South Wales’ representation at this year’s Brisbane Inter Dominion has been bolstered by a mid-week call-up for star Sydney reinsman Cam Hart to partner the locally-trained Speak The Truth in the opening round of heats at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Hart had already been booked to partner the Emma Stewart-trained pair Bay Of Biscay in the $300,000 Group 1 Racing & Sports The Rising Sun and the squaregaiter Harold Smith in the Trotters Inter Dominion series, however both have been scratched after travel arrangements could not be met.
Still, Hart was pleased to receive a call from trainer Shannon Price to drive her well-performed gelding.
Hart’s opportunity presented itself after Speak The Truth and stablemate Sure Thing Captain were both drawn in the opening heat, forcing regular reinsman Adam Sanderson to make a tough decision on which of the stablemates he would stick with.
Sanderson settled on Sure Thing Captain, who has come up with barrier four in the event, while Hart will drive Speak The Truth from gate five.
The 2024 Miracle Mile runner-up, Speak The Truth returned to his best from last Saturday night when he scored a strong win rating 1.52.5 over the 2138 metre trip, the same distance as tomorrow night’s qualifying heat.
“I jumped at the chance to take the drive,” said Hart.
“He is a very nice horse, who has consistently raced at the top level right throughout his career and Shannon and her team do a great job with their horses.
“So, obviously I was excited to take the drive when I got the call.
“He has drawn reasonably well in gate five, there is a little bit of speed drawn around us, but he is a tough, versatile horse and I am optimistic he will get his chances throughout the race.”
It will be a busy few days for Hart leading into the weekend, driving at Penrith on Thursday night and will make a dash up to Newcastle on Friday before boarding a flight to Brisbane.
Hart was booked to drive at Wagga on Friday also but opted to head up to Newcastle where he has six drives, including several winning chances.
“I originate from the Riverina and I have been enjoying heading back down there to race during the past month,” said Hart.
“But I feel that I have some realistic winning chances at Newcastle, so have decided to go in that direction.”
