Grimson sets his sights on Victoria

Jason Grimson could have as many as four harness racing runners in his quest to win the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup for the first time.

Grimson, 31, has been a revelation in Australia’s training ranks since Boncel Benjamin’s upset win on protest in the 2021 Sydney Inter Dominion.

Although he won the 2022 Melbourne Inter Dominion final with I Cast No Shadow, Grimson has not had much impact in Victoria’s major races.

He sent Himanameisjeff down for last year’s Victoria Cup, but he didn’t handle the track from a bad barrier and finished back in 10th spot.

But Grimson has most of his stable stars aimed at this year’s Victoria Cup.

The advance party will be last-start Len Smith Mile runner-up District Attorney (Courage Under Fire) and the exciting Major Moth (Art Major), who will tackle Friday week’s $75,000 Group 2 Kilmore Cup.

While District Attorney should be a lock for a Victoria Cup start, Major Moth’s lack of open-class feature race form and a last start Len Smith flop have him in the danger zone.

Major Moth will need to win or run a huge race at Kilmore to press his case for a Victoria Cup berth.

There are no such problems for Grimson’s stable star, Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven), who returns from a break in the $60,000 The Dish at Parkes on Friday.

The reigning NZ Cup winner will be joined in that race by classy stablemate Nerano (Tintin In America).

“If they both go well at Parkes, I might take them down for the Victoria Cup, too,” Grimson said.

Swayzee, who hasn’t raced since his fantastic second to Leap To Fame in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake on July 27, is yet to race in Victoria for Grimson.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia