Cobram and Bendigo pacing cups headline action-packed weekend

By Gus Underwood

Jan 5, 2023

Bring it on: The Cobram and Bendigo pacing cups will be run and won this weekend. Photo by Megan Fisher

NSW boom trots trainer James Grimson is launching attacks on the Bendigo and Cobram pacing cups this weekend.

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Grimson has risen to prominence with an ability to improve pacers to Group One level and has two runners, Lightning Dan and Fire Fox, tackling Sunday’s $35,000 Jim Phillips Memorial Cobram Pacing Cup.

Lightning Dan finished fifth to the talented Catch A Wave, beaten less than 12m, in a Vicbred Super Series final last Saturday in 1:54.5 time and from barrier two and with ace reinsman Nathan Jack doing the drivering honours should be hard to toss.

Grimson’s other runner Fire Fox broke gear in the recent Cranbourne Cup, but has to overcome an extreme outside second row draw over the 2678m trip.

The other NSW-trained runner in the race is the Ricki Alchin-prepared and driven Watts Up Sunshine who was also listed to race at Menangle tomorrow night.

Hopes of a district win in the race rest with Shepparton trainers Steve O’Donoghue-Bec Bartley (Mongiana), Connor Crook (Fynn Frost) and David Moran (Curly James).

These runners will come from barriers four, five and six off the front row respectively.

The other feature at Cobram, the $30,000 Central Credit Union Cobram Trotters Cup, has drawn only six runners and looks a battle between Don’t Care and Sheza Pleasure, both placed in Vicbred Super Series finals last Saturday, and recent Cranbourne Trotters Cup placegetter Powderkeg.

The 10-event card at Cobram kicks off at 12.35pm and concludes at 5.47pm.

The $75,000 Bendigo Pacers Cup tomorrow night has a strong Victorian contingent chasing the spoils with Rock N Roll Doo, who has drawn barrier one, and the David Aiken-prepared Max Delight, who has drawn gate five, heading the main chances.

The interesting runner is Sicario who has now changed stables and is trained by Grimson.

Grimson also has another former Victorian-trained pacer in the field in Major Meister, who claimed the recent Cranbourne Cup at his second start for his new stable, in the race, but has to overcome a back row draw .

The other NSW raider in the race is Art Tudor, a winner of 19 races, who is well drawn in barrier two over the 2650m trip.

The other feature at Bendigo, the $75,000 Maori Mile, has a strong field of locals headed by the recent Cranbourne Trotters Cup winner Majestuoso who has a good barrier draw and looks the one to beat again.