Hart heads home for more Group 1 action

After racing in some of Australasia’s biggest harness races Cameron Hart returns home to drive in Group 1 features at Menangle on Saturday (Nov. 12).

The 23-year-old reinsman finished second in Tuesday’s (Nov. 8) time-honoured New Zealand Cup with Sydney pacer Majestic Cruiser (Art Major) to defending champion Copy That.

“I think he’d have won if they hadn’t pushed us deep. We went from cruising to chasing and to get around them so wide and still set out after the leader like he did was incredible,” Hart said.

Hart and Majestic Cruiser finished second again in Friday’s NZ Free-For-All to Self Assured.

“It was a huge run again and it was probably just the barrier draw in the end which meant we ended up so far back, but I’m really happy with the horse,” Hart said.

“He did plenty of work in the running again and was still powering to the line. All going well we would like to bring him over for ‘The Race’ again next year, so hopefully he is still going well enough.

“Jason (Grimson) and I have enjoyed our time over here so much and all the locals have been very inviting, and it’s been a great week. I’ve got a lot of respect for Mark and Self Assured, he’s been a champion horse and he just keeps turning up in these big races,” he said.

Back on home soil, Hart will team up with the favourite in Saturday’s NSW Breeders Challenge Blue three-year-old fillies final on Madrid (Bling It On).

The filly finished last in the Breeders Challenge major final a fortnight ago and trainer Jarrod Alchin was impressed with her effort.

“I was happy with her run…it wasn’t really her go sitting outside them and she was only beaten nine metres,” said Alchin.

Hart’s other Group 1 drive at the feature meeting is on last start winner Katastrophee (Bling It On) in the two-year-old fillies final.

For complete race fields, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for Harnesslink