The boys are back in town and winning at Group 1 level

This time last year harness racing driver Cameron Hart won his first Group 1 race.

Wind the clock forward, he has since competed in most of Australasia’s biggest races such as the Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and The Race and collected another three Group 1 trophies.

The 23-year-old obtained that fourth Group 1 success when winning the $100,000 Riverina Championship with Ideal Dan at Wagga on Saturday night.

Currently ranked as the top driver in New South Wales plus a consistent battle with Queensland’s Nathan Dawson as the top driver in the country, Hart’s career began in the Riverina and it is fitting he won the region’s biggest race, again.

Hart won last year’s Riverina Championship with Techys Angel – that was that special first Group 1 success.

“Growing up down here it’s always great to get back here for these races,” said Hart.

“It’s nice to get a big win with Jason (Grimson – trainer) tonight, we’ve had some success together but this is our first Group 1 win together.”

Ideal Dan led throughout 2270m the feature clocking 1:52.3, a tenth of a second outside the track record and this success was a fitting win for trainer Jason Grimson too.

With one of the top strike rates in NSW and Australia, Grimson had a career-best season last year training 96 winners, including success in the Inter Dominion with Boncel Banjamin.

He has bounced back this year with more than 20 wins to his credit – five at Group level.

Just this week, the 28-year-old flew to New Zealand, finished second in The Race with Majestic Cruiser (driven by Hart) and just over an hour later won the time-honoured Renshaw Cup at Penrith with Stingray Tara.

And now this success with Ideal Dan.

Grimson, now based at Menangle, also grew up down south in Young.

The ‘cherry’ on top for Grimson was winning the Young Cup with Ideal Dan last month too.

Grimson has trained more than 920 winners since gaining his licence and Ideal Dan has contributed to four of them, with the son of American Ideal remaining unbeaten in the stable.

“He has always been a smart juvenile but has gone to another level and full credit to Jason,” said Hart.

It is exciting to see what the future holds for Ideal Dan.

And also for Hart and Grimson who combined to win three races at Wagga on Saturday night.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink