Grimson the master

Menangle Park harness racing trainer Jason Grimson is a master at setting a horse for a feature race, producing them at their very best for the big occasions.

He proved the point in December last year when he took out the Inter Dominion Grand Final with Boncel Benjamin.

Although he was placed in two of his qualifying heats to reach the final, Boncel Benjamin was unwanted in the betting, sent out as a 50-1 chance.

Yet Grimson always showed faith in the gelding right throughout the series and the win came as no great surprise to him.

Tomorrow night at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Grimson will be hoping he can again defy the odds with Majestic Cruiser in the Garrards Miracle Mile.

Like Boncel Benjamin, the seven-year-old will contest the $1million dollar Mile as an outsider despite his solid performance to finish second behind Spirit Of St Louis in the Schweppes Sprint a fortnight ago.

Leading reinsman Cameron Hart takes the drive behind Majestic Cruiser tomorrow night and like Grimson he is under no illusion that they have the job ahead of them to get over the top of their more-fancied rivals.

“The horse has been racing well and deserves his spot in the field,” said Hart.

“He always gives his all and I am confident he will acquit himself well tomorrow night.

“His run was super in the qualifier and he has drawn well, so I will just drive him for luck to give him every chance to run on at the finish.

“Jason does a great job preparing his horses, which makes my job in the gig just that little bit easier.”

Grimson returns to his home town of Young tonight where he will be aiming for a feature double in the Cordina Chicken Farms Young Cup and the SWSCU Young Services Club Derby.

“I love getting back home for the big nights in Young,” said Grimson.

“I grew up there and cut my teeth learning to drive at the track.

“This year I am going all out with three runners in the Cup . . . and I am confident we can win it.

“I have a leaning towards Ideal Dan, who has drawn the best of my runners in gate one and has a ton of ability.”

Grimson appears to have a mortgage on the Derby with long odd-on favourite Sugar Apple.

To view the upcoming Australian meetings click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW