Frankie is Ferocious in the Chariots

Gun NSW reinsman Cameron Hart added a Chariots Of Fire to his burgeoning harness racing CV after he steered Frankie Ferocious (Captaintreacherous) to an all the way win in the 4YO feature at Menangle.

A $2.70 second elect, Frankie Ferocious wasn’t challenged during the middle stages in a 56.4 first half of the last mile while the $2 favorite Don’t Stop Dreaming was poised to pounce in the one out one back trail.

However, when Hart released the reins, the Jason Grimson trained Frankie Ferocious reeled off a 26.6 third quarter and backed it up with 26.4 on the way home in a 53 last 800 metres to record a time of 1:49.4.

Those back in the field found it impossible to make ground on the leaders including Don’t Stop Dreaming who finished sixth.

“It’s a race you grow up wanting to win and especially this year being such a great field, I’ve got a lot of respect for the Kiwi horses coming across,  so to come out on top is pretty pleasing,” Hart said.

FRANKIE FEROCIOUS REPLAY

Hart admitted there was a slight concern when Frankie Ferocious appeared to put in a rough stride at the winning post on the first occasion.

“I had my heart in my mouth for a few strides there, I think when he gets out on his own he loses concentration and I just had to gather him back up for a second,” he said.

Hart said he opted to increase the tempo following a mid-race move by Better Be The Best.

“It was a huge last half, going past the cages once Nathan (Turnbull) made a move to the chair and I thought it would make it pretty hard for Don’t Stop Dreaming and Its Merlin,” he said.

“I just couldn’t hold him slow enough on the bend, he just wanted to get on with it.”

As the stable driver for Jason Grimson, Hart is in the enviable position of having to choose between Frankie Ferocious and Manameisjeff as his  horse to drive in the Miracle Mile.

“It’s a great spot to be in and I’ll probably give one of my good mates a drive in it, obviously the barrier draw will play a big factor in who I choose but as we’ve seen tonight they are both in great form,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jason Grimson is looking forward to the stable’s dual representation in the Miracle Mile

“It’s my home track and I love training horses to run fast miles so hopefully we can run a bit of time next week and hopefully we can win,” Grimson said.

When asked if Leap To Fame is the horse to beat in the Miracle Mile.

“He’s going to have a hard run next week,” Grimson said.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink