Hart home and ready for more feature racing

Cameron Hart. Photo by Club Menangle.

After racing in some of Australasia’s biggest races Cameron Hart returns home to drive in Group 1 features at Menangle tonight. 

The 23-year-old reinsman finished second in Tuesday’s time-honoured New Zealand Cup with Sydney pacer Majestic Cruiser 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.

Hart will team up with the favourite in tonight’s NSW Breeders Challenge Blue three-year-old fillies final on Madrid. 

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 tonight is on last start winner Katastrophee in the two-year-old fillies final.

The iForm best bets for Saturday:

Menangle best bet 

Race 9: Aldebaran Tess (3)

Could have their measure once more following a sparkling victory first up for the new yard.

Menangle next best 

Race 6: Mammals Alibi (7)

Stylish wins at two of his past three suggests he will keep favourite followers very honest.

Around the tracks

Griffith best bet

Race 1: Western Bill (10)

Looks the class runner and the middle distance trip should allow him to get into the race and be too strong.

Play the exotics 

The Menangle quaddie

Race 5: 8-9-12

Race 6: 9-7

Race 7: 6-2

Race 8: 6-10

$24 for 100%