Grimson chasing down Hunter Cup glory

Discount rampaging harness racing trainer Jason Grimson at your own peril in tomorrow night’s (Feb. 4) $500,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup.

The odds say Grimson’s two runners – Major Meister (Art Major) $15 and I Cast No Shadow (Shadow Play) $41 – are up against it, but recent history suggests otherwise.

Grimson’s splash into harness racing’s big league has been extraordinary.

And his biggest wins have come with underdogs, starting with Boncel Benjamin’s win on protest as a $41 outsider in the 2021 Inter Dominion final at Menangle.

Since then, Grimson’s won major races with: Majestic Cruiser as a $21 shot in the NZ’s Messenger in Auckland and the Queensland’s Blacks A Fake as a $17 shot, while I Cast No Shadow started $17 when he won the Group 1 Len Smith last October.

I Cast No Shadow then gave Grimson back-to-back Inter Dominion training wins when he upstaged his rivals as a $17 shot in the Melton final on December 10.

“I like being the underdog. It makes me try harder to prove them wrong,” Grimson said. “I don’t think there’s as much pressure on you either,” Grimson said.

Despite what the betting markets say, Grimson said he will head to Melton with a level of confidence in both his Cup runners.

“They’re both good enough at their best and with the right luck,” he said.

“I Cast No Shadow has worked great this week and I think he’s spot on. He’ll need a bit of luck, but hopefully there’s some speed early and he’ll come right into it.

“Major Meister has just kept getting better and better. If he gets a helmet (trail home) and settles well, he’s a big chance of winning. He’s so fast.”

Interestingly, stable driver Cam Hart has jumped-off I Cast No Shadow to drive Major Meister. Grimson’s Sydney mate, top young driver Jack Trainor will take the reins on the Inter Dominion champ.

Grimson said winning a Hunter Cup would rank right up with his Inter Dominion success.

“Yeah, I think it would mean as much as the Inter Dominions. Everybody wants to win this race,” he said.

“I’ve set my two for it and they’re right where I want them.”

Grimson, who has stables at Sydney’s Menangle track, has based himself in Melbourne since I Cast No Shadow won the Inter Dominion final.

“This is what I want to do, travel and chase the big Group 1 races with my team,” he said.

“I’ve only got eight in work and I try to stay at that number so I can spend plenty of time with every horse.

“When I look around the stable, there’s not a horse who hasn’t been in a Group 1 race or could possibly win one in future. I’ve built the team up to be that way.”

The Cup market has changed considerably since Tuesday’s barrier draw.

Copy That is an easing $3.10 favourite from Spirit Of St Louis ($5.50), but the main firmers have been Honolua Bay ($7.50 into $5.50), Hurricane Harley ($9 into $7) and Old Town Road ($14 into $9).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia