NSW-based young gun Cam Hart has jumped at an invitation to be the lone interstate “wildcard” driver at Redcliffe’s huge Trot Rods “finals” night on May 25.
Hart, 23, was NSW’s leading driver last season and boasts a lead of more than 30 so far this season. He’s driven over 650 winners, four at Group 1 level.
And, just last Friday, he teamed fellow Aussie Jason Grimson to beat the best of the Kiwis in their own backyard with Majestic Cruiser in Auckland’s Group 1 Messenger.
“This is a big thrill, to be the only interstate driver invited,” Hart said. “I’ve had the most amazing past 18 months or so, including the huge buzz on last Friday night, and this adds to it.”
Despite his youth, Hart is no stranger to driving in Queensland.
“I’ve been up quite a few times and I’ve driven at Redcliffe a few times already as well,” he said. “When I first moved from the Riverina (NSW) to Menangle, I worked with Shane Sanderson, and he’d often take horses back to Queensland and I would go to drive them.
“I’m a big fan of the Trot Rods concept. It’s different, it’s promoted really well and it’s exciting to watch. Now I get to be part of it.
“We have a lot of sprint racing over the mile at Menangle where I drive the most, but this is different again over just a lap.”
Hart is the first confirmed driver of just five who will compete at the Trot Rods finale on May 25. All 10 races on the night will be 947m Trot Rods heats. The process for selecting the other four Queensland-based drivers will be revealed soon.
The innovative Trots Rods series heads into night three at Redcliffe tonight with heats five and six of the 20-heat series where the winner is the pacer to clock the fastest time for the 947m scamper.
Four different drivers have saluted across the four heats so far: Lachie Manzlemann, Pete McMullen, Matt Elkins and Angus Garrard.
The Trot Rods “leader” is Im Loki after his runaway win in a slick 65.2sec last Wednesday night, but it’s worth noting Adam Crocker paced 63.8sec to win the title last year.
- Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
