Hart hungry for Chariots Of Fire success

1 March 2024

MICHAEL COURT |

IGNORE this state’s leading reinsman at your peril at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

Yet that’s exactly what Cameron Hart will be hoping for when he takes to the track with trainer Jason Grimson’s latest hotshot Frankie Ferocious in the $250,000 Cordina Chicken Farm Chariots Of Fire.

Unbeaten since joining Grimson’s Menangle stables, Frankie Ferocious has been kept safe in early betting for the feature, listed as a $3 second favourite behind Kiwi star Don’t Stop Dreaming ($1.85).

Yet he’s drawn in gate four so Hart will have to decide whether or not to get involved in an early speed battle with the three drawn inside him, as all three look to have the gate speed to give each other a few headaches.

“This is a race I definitely want to win and I’d love it to be this year,” Hart told National Trotguide on-line.

“Frankie Ferocious has been awesome and both his runs have been super impressive.

“He’s going to have to step up again as it’s such a hot field but I have plenty of confidence in this horse and he’s going really well at the moment.”

Hart explained that the draws had made it a tricky one to work out the gate speed as well as the likely tactics of his rivals.

“I haven’t settled on my own race plan yet but I’m still pretty happy with where we’re drawn and I’m sure he’ll be close to the action,” he said.

“Better Be The Best (gate three) went awesome for Nathan Turnbull last weekend and he’s shown he’s a great front-running horse.

“He’ll obviously be going forward again and the two Kiwis drawn in one and two have nice gate speed as well.

“Hopefully there’ll be plenty of fireworks early on and we can wind up in a good spot.”

Hart said Frankie Ferocious had the versatility to be competitive in Saturday night’s Group 1.

“That is going to help us in a race like this as we’re not necessarily going to end up in front but he’s versatile and can go with a sit or be in front.

“He can do it both ways so we have to work out where we’ll be.”

Hart will also be hoping for the right run – and possibly a Miracle Mile berth - with Grimson’s other stable star Hi Manameisjeff, who will need to overcome gate 10 if he is to continue his awesome form at Menangle.