Top Sydney combination in fine form

It would be hard to find a more in-form combination in Sydney harness racing than trainer Joe Conolly and junior driver Seaton Grima.

Based at Llandilo, north-west of Penrith, the duo works a team of seven horses and after having a sensational 2021 season they have started the new year where they left off with not only several winners at their home track of Penrith but also with success at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

One horse from their stable that has caught the imagination of racegoers is seven-year-old entire Art Tutor, who went down fighting at Tabcorp Menangle last Saturday night when beaten three metres by star New Zealand pacer Krug, which rated a slick 1.49.9 for the mile.

The son of Art Major led for much of the trip and set a frenetic pace, only to be collared in the shadows of the post.

Krug, who is in Australia for a tilt at the upcoming Carnival of Miracles, has been sensational over in the Shaky Isles, winning 17 of his 32 career starts and being placing on nine occasions, amassing a bankroll of more than $630,000.

“Cam Hart drove Art Tutor on Saturday night and was full of praise for his effort,” said Grima.

“Joe and I have always known what he is capable of, and he proved on Saturday that he can mix it with the best.

“He trialled in 1:52.2 at Penrith last week so we knew he would go close at Menangle.

“We now intend to keep him racing at Menangle to gauge where he is at in order to plan what races to contest over the carnival.”

Conolly and Grima are heading to Penrith tonight with just one runner, Silly Sid (Race 2) and Grima is confident the gelding can win after drawing favourably in gate two.

“I thought if Sid could cross from gate two and pinch a cheap quarter at some stage, he would be hard to run down,” said the young reinsman.

“The 1720m trip is ideal for him, and he drops in grade from his past four outings.

“There are some handy horses in the race tonight that have good recent form.

“But they have to contend with tough draws and Silly Sid had no luck last Thursday night, he was climbing all over them at the finish.”

To view the fields for Penrith on Thursday night click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW