The premier NSW combination of Jason Grimson and Cam Hart are lethal when they raid Victoria.
They will launch their latest assault on a huge stage with three runners, headed by champion stayer Swayzee, in Saturday night’s stellar $150,000 Group 1 Cranbourne Cup (2555m).
Since joining Grimson’s stable, Swayzee has raced just twice in Victoria and for wins in the state’s two biggest open-class races, the 2024 Group 1 Victoria Cup and last year’s Group 1 Hunter Cup. Hart drove him both times.
Such is the quality of this Cranbourne Cup, Swayzee is an easing $6.50 chance from a wide draw (gate seven). Kingman is $1.65 from the pole and Leap To Fame is $2.40 from barrier four.
It’s the first time the superstar trio have clashed in the same race.
Grimson and Hart have combined before to win a Cranbourne Cup, albeit not as strong as this one, when Major Meister scored in 2022. He also won the Ballarat Cup a few weeks later.
Most recently, Grimson and Hart teamed with star speedster Hi Manameisjeff to lead and finish a terrific second to Kingman – beating home Leap To Fame – in the Victoria Cup on October 18.
After a frustrating year of niggles and missed opportunities in 2025, Swayzee defied the doubters and his age – he’s an eight-year-old now – to produce one of the best performances of his career in the Goulburn Cup on January 2.
Before you query the venue, Swayzee sat outside reigning Miracle Mile champion Don Hugo, who boasts an Inter Dominion and TAB Eureka on CV, and crushed him in an epic staying display at Goulburn.
Swayzee then capped his preparation for Victoria with an easy Menangle win last Saturday week.
“He came back quite big this time and has just kept improving with the racing,” Hart said. “He’s felt like the Swayzee of old in his past couple.”
Hart has some thinking to do on tactics at Cranbourne given his draw and Swayzee’s usual tough racing style.
If Kingman leads as expected, Hart risks setting the race up for Leap To Fame if he takes Swayzee to his usual spot outside the leader and pours the pressure on.
But if he goes back, Kingman and Leap To Fame could dominate the race from the front.
It is a fascinating race and one which should only further fuel excitement around the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton on February 14.
The big three from Cranbourne will be joined by NZ’s best pacer Republican Party in the Hunter Cup. He’s booked on a flight from Auckland to Melbourne on Monday and will tune-up through next Saturday night’s $150,000 Group 1 Kilmore Cup.
Grimson and Hart also have their sights set on two other features at Cranbourne on Saturday.
Brilliant young Kiwi mare Captains Mistress has turned heads winning both starts at Menangle for Grimson by huge margins.
She is a $1.50 favourite from gate five against two of Australia’s best mares, Eye Keep Smiling (gate seven, $3.30) and Steno (six, $5.50), in the $50,000 Group 3 Angelique (2080m).
They also have the emerging Demon Blue as a $6 shot from gate three in a strong and even $50,000 Group 3 4&5YO Championship (2080m).
