Gate speed the key

24 September 2022

PREMIER reinsman Cameron Hart will take advantage of Madrid’s blistering gate speed and expects to lead and win in tonight’s Group 3 Gold Sovereign Three-Year-Old Fillies final at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

With just six rivals in the $30,600 feature, Madrid looks a cut above her rivals tonight and is possibly the best of an exciting book of drives for the state’s leading young driver.

Hart was a notable absentee from last weekend’s Menangle meeting while away on representative duties, driving in an invitation series in Adelaide.

It was his first visit to Globe Derby Park, and also Adelaide, and the former Riverina horseman did his state proud, finishing second to Victorian James Herbertson in the series.

“It’s always nice to represent your state and you get to meet people you don’t know as well as catch up with a few old friends,” Hart told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“It was very competitive racing and everyone had a great time.

“But it is a lot different from Menangle, the track was a bit smaller and tighter although I do drive at tracks here like Penrith, Bathurst and Newcastle, so I handled it OK.”

Hart will be kept busy tonight as he heads to Menangle with nine drives on the 10-race card.

He believes Braeview Kelly (Race 7) and square-gaiter Regal Attire (Race 10) are both well and could easily give him a winning double.

Yet punters will rally to back Jarrod Alchin’s pair, My Ultimate Ronnie, the $1.80 favourite in Race 6 and Madrid, who is a prohibitive $1.20 favourite in Race 9.

“Madrid has been a super filly for my career and she does look to be dropping a lot in grade tonight,” said Hart.

“She has an awkward draw but still looks to have a bit on them.

“Usually, she drops the bit and settles well but she was a bit fresh last start [when second to Captn Me in a Breeders Challenge heat at Penrith] and I think she’ll be better this time around.

“Everyone knows she has terrific gate speed so I think she can be in front and be hard to beat.”

Hart feels the Jack Trainor-trained Braeview Kelly is the one they have to beat in Race 7.

“She’s a super mare and has loads of ability,” he said.

“I think she could go on to win a race like the Ladyship Mile, so I was happy to get that drive.”