Aussie runners primed for Show Day

Aussie harness racing stars Majestic Cruiser (Art Major) and Rock N Roll Doo (Rock N Roll Heaven) have come through the New Zealand Cup well and will be primed for the quick back-up on Friday at Addington.

Majestic Cruiser’s booming second in the Cup and terrific recovery twisted trainer Jason Grimson’s arm about the Group 1 NZ Free-For-All.

“We were 50-50 on backing-up before the Cup, but he ran so well and has come through it great. He’s running,” he said.

That’s despite Majestic Cruiser drawing awfully outside the back row and not being as well suited by the shorter 1980m trip on Friday’s race.

Grimson was delighted with Majestic Cruiser’s effort in the Cup.

“He went great. If Cam had been able to stay in the three-wide trail a bit longer, I think he’d have won,” he said.

“He’s such a great stayer I knew the race would suit him.

“He’s building a terrific record in those big staying races.”

Majestic Cruiser’s Cup second followed Group 1 wins in staying races The Messenger and Blacks A Fake earlier this year.

Beyond Friday, Grimson is focused on trying to win back-to-back Inter Dominion titles with Majestic Cruiser and his last-start Group 1 winning stablemate, I Cast No Shadow.

The Inter Dominion starts with heats at Ballarat on November 26.

Top young NSW driver Jack Callaghan, who played “strapper” at times with Majestic Cruiser on Cup Day, thinks he is the horse to beat in the Inter Dominion.

It’s a big call given Callaghan drives series big gun Spirit Of St Louis.

“My guy has a fantastic chance and it’s exciting to have him back racing this week (Saturday night at Menangle), but Majestic Cruiser was enormous today (Cup Day) and I think he’s the horse we all have to beat over the long trip in the Inter Dominion (final),” he said.

Both trainer-driver Mick Stanley and his stable star Rock N Roll Doo bounced-back well from the disappointment of the Cup.

Rock N Roll Doo lost all chance when he galloped away from the stand.

“That was always the risk, especially with a horse still pretty new to this sort of racing,” he said.

“We always knew we had the FFA as back, insurance if you like, and he’ll get his chance there.

“He’s come through the Cup really well and I can’t wait for Friday.”

Stanley again confirmed Rock N Roll Doo would definitely not contest the Inter Dominion.

“No, it’s been off the table for a while,” he said. “He’ll have a break after Friday and come back for races like the Bendigo and Ballarat Cups before the Hunter Cup and then a trip to Sydney for the Miracle Mile.”

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by Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New Zealand