Nerano NZ - ID2024 H3 Photo by Dan Costello
MENANGLE trainer Jason Grimson is trying to cap an amazing finish to the year by doing what only harness racing royalty have done in the Inter Dominion.
Grimson, just 29, won his second successive NZ Cup last month with Swayzee and is chasing his third Inter Dominion pacing final in the space of four years when he lines up Curly James and Nerano in Saturday night’s $500,000 feature at his home track.
If successful, Grimson will join Hall of Famers Mark Purdon and Brian Hancock as the only trainers to win Inter Dominion pacing finals with three different horses.
Grimson won with Boncel Benjamin at Menangle in 2021 and I Cast No Shadow at Melton in 2022.
Hancock’s first win came with Thorate in Adelaide (1990), followed by Weona Warrior at Harold Park (1994) and then his greatest pacer, Our Sir Vancelot created history with three successive final wins (1997 Adelaide, 1998 Hobart and 1999 Auckland).
Purdon won back-to-back Perth finals with Smolda (2016) and Lazarus (2017) and then trained Ultimate Sniper in partnership with Natalie Rasmussen to win the 2019 Auckland final.
The odds say Grimson has a huge task ahead with Curly James ($12) and Nerano ($34) both outsiders, but that hasn’t worried him in the past.
Boncel Benjamin was a $41 outsider when won on protest and I Cast No Shadow caused an upset at $17.
Grimson's stable driver, Jack Callaghan, surprised many by opting to drive Nerano, paving the way for Cam Hart to get the drive on Curly James.
ADAM HAMILTON takes a look at both finals
PACING FINAL
9.45pm. 2300m.
SO much depends on two things, if and how hard NERANO (8) blasts out from gate eight at the start and how WA young gun Deni Roberts drives star MINSTREL (11). Those two factors play a huge role in whether hot favourite DON HUGO (3) adds the Inter Dominion to his TAB Eureka win from September. Don Hugo is also racing to give champion horseman Luke McCarthy his first Inter Dominion win at his 11th attempt in a pacing final. I can’t see Don Hugo getting his own way this time and the $2.50 looks very skinny odds. Minstrel is a tough, seasoned veteran who was huge in defeat last week. He’s the one to beat with a lovely Roberts drive. CAPTAINS KNOCK (9) is flying and will be dangerous if the race is run truly and when he sees daylight. Old MAX DELIGHT (10), the emerging DANGEROUS (2) and CURLY JAMES (5) are the other late swoopers with claims.
SUMMARY: Minstrel the one to beat at value around $6. Max Delight and Curly James are worth small plays around $18 and $14 respectively.
8.55PM - TROTTING FINAL
What will driver Jason Lee do on KEAYANG CHUCKY? That’s the million dollar question of this final. There’s no doubt he’s got the speed to lead and hold the front, but the team seem to think he’s better with a sit. If they opt to trail again, the next question is whether hot favourite THE LOCOMOTIVE (4) or a desperately driven QUEEN ELIDA (5) will be first to try and wrest the lead away. The Locomotive has been the star of the series, seemingly improving with each run and he’s most likely to find the lead, which makes him the one to beat. Queen Elida was fantastic on the first two nights, but not as good last Saturday. She’s got a full week to bounce back and has run third in stronger finals the past two years. Keayang Chucky couldn’t stalk and rundown The Locomotive last week, but more pressure early and through the middle stages could give him a better hope this time (if he takes the trail). PARISIAN ARTISTE (12) was terrific last week. He’s strong and can make a midrace move if needed. Can upset them. The best roughie is KEAYANG STUKA (9), who ran a terrific race at Bathurst then smashed the clock from a mile back last Saturday. Drawn for a cosy peg run and will give cheek.
SUMMARY: The Locomotive is a deserved favourite, but looks way too short at $1.65. I would play Keayang Chucky at $6.50 or better and have something small each-way Keayang Stuka at $71 a win and $10 a place.
