Jye Coney
A FAIRYTALE year will continue for NSW teenager Jye Coney with the drive of his fledgling career on Saturday.
Trainer Jason Grimson has shown his loyalty to the former Tamworth-based Coney by giving him the drive on key runner Dangerous in the $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion final at Albion Park.
It was the missing piece in Grimson’s Inter Dominion trio with Cam Hart and champion mare Captains Mistress and Grimson himself aboard Minos.
Dangerous was an impressive second round heat winner and is $9 fourth favourite in a final dominated by defending champion Leap To Fame (gate 11, $2.20) and Captains Mistress (gate six, $2.40).
“Jason (Grimson) rang me the other night and said it was likely I’d drive him and I’ve been buzzing ever since. It’s great to get confirmation,” he said.
“I can’t thank the owners enough for given me the chance and Jase for backing me in to take the drive.
“When I moved here (Sydney) I hoped it would get some better opportunities, but I never saw this coming. It’s such a big race and incredible opportunity.
“I’ve grown up in a harness racing family where the Inter Dominion has always been the ultimate. I’m pinching myself that I’ll now be driving in one and on a horse with a serious chance.”
Just four months ago, Grimson plucked Coney from relative obscurity to drive Captains Mistress at her first test in the big league when she ran a luckless fifth in the $1 million Miracle Mile behind Leap To Fame.
Grimson doesn’t regret asking Coney to drive for luck on that occasion, which saw her hit the line with nowhere to go.
“Looking back to where she is now, I think we did the right thing when we knew we had some big races like the Rising Sun and Inter Dominion coming up with her,” Grimson said.
Coney will go from partner to opposition for Captains Mistress on Saturday night.
“I can’t believe what a few months it’s been,” he said. “From the Miracle Mile drive to getting my 300th winner the other day and an Inter Dominion (final) drive, which is as good as it gets.”
Despite Dangerous being Grimson’s third stringer in betting, the trainer insists he has serious winning chance.
“I know how good he is from his track work, so it didn’t surprise me to see him come out and win the heat so impressively the other night. Cam (Hart, driver) was surprised how easily he did it.
“I don’t mind where he’s drawn. He’ll settle handy in the running line and if the race is run as strongly as we expect, he’ll be right there at the finish.”
PHOTO: Courtesy of HRNSW
