GUN driver Cam Hart is confident defending champion Swayzee is as good as when he upstaged Leap To Fame to win last year’s Hunter Cup.
Hart pointed to the eight-year-old’s epic Goulburn Cup win over Don Hugo last month and also urged fans not to read too much into the latest unplaced Cranbourne Cup run.
“I think you can put the pen through that run a bit,” Hart told Gareth Hall on SENTrack. “He couldn’t get to his ideal spot in the run and it was very hard to make ground the way the race was run and with the tight turning track at Cranbourne.
“I was really happy with him through the line and when he’s hitting the line well, it’s usually a sign he’s going great. He still felt really good.”
Hart knows the importance of barrier two for Swayzee compared to six for Leap To Fame and 10 for Kingman.
“I’m super stoked with the draw. It’s no secret we needed a draw over Leap To Fame and Kingman to be a winning chance and got that,” he said.
“I think he’s a great chance of leading. There’s only really War Dan Buddy in between us and Leap To Fame who may want to charge out, but he’s drawn right next to me and we may be able to hold him at the start.”
Swayzee had led throughout for his two wins over Leap To Fame, including last year’s Hunter Cup in track record time.
“It’s always a fun challenge taking on Leap To Fame. We always need a good draw to beat him. We’ve beaten him twice by really running along and making his chase, so we’ll do the same again and see how we go,” Hart said.
“It will be a bit of a balancing act for us both (Swayzee and Leap To Fame) to go hard, but leave enough in the tank for the last bit (of the race).”
Hart almost sounds as excited about driving untapped four-year-old mare Captains Mistress again in the $150,000 Group 1 Queen of the Pacific. She is a $1.35 favourite from gate seven after three sparkling wins from as many starts for trainer Jason Grimson.
“She’s a superstar,” he said. “She’s probably the most exciting horse I’ve driven so far in my career.
“I’ve been lucky enough to partner with some great horses, but she just gives you a different feel. She’s got lethal speed, but like all good horses, she can stay as well.
“I’m really looking forward to the next few months with her.”
Hart's huge Hunter Cup also drives commanding favourites Hi Manameisjeff in the Mercury 80 and former classy Kiwi pacer Chase A Dream at his first start for Grimson in the Pure Steel.
After this weekend, Hart’s attention turns to the exciting Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship at Albion Park next Friday and Saturday nights.
“I’m sure excited to be part of it,” he said. “I watched on from Sydney last year and wished I was part of it. It’s going to be unbelievable.”
