Aardie's Express big hope in Albion park Group 1

By Adam Hamilton

Boom former Kiwi mare Aardie's Express is primed to win her rematch with Aussie champ Ladies In Red at Albion Park in Brisbane on Saturday night.

Aardie's Express was in the care of Jack Trainor when she stunned many by giving Ladies In Red a start and a beating at their only meeting in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle on May 4.

Just as it was then, Ladies In Red has a much better draw (gate two) than Aardie's Express (seven) in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl (9.47pm).

But trainer Jason Grimson, who took over Aardie's Express last month, thinks she is strong enough to overcome the draw.

"She's just so tough," he said "I know she led-up and only won narrowly last week, but she'll be better for them and she waited for them last week.

"I know she'll have to do work, but she's good enough to do it and still be right there at the finish."

Aardie's Express is one of three runners Grimson has in the Golden Girl.

"I think the race is more open than just the two top mares. I’ve got Tay Tay and Illavabubbles in it, and Tay Tay is absolutely flying.

“If they go really hard up front, which looks likely, Tay Tay will be the one flying home at the finish.”

Ladies In Red, who could be having her last race start in the Golden Girl, is a $1.70 favourite from Aardies Express at $3.60 and Tay Tay is $9.50.

On the same card, Grimson will be trying to do what he does better than anyone, upset Aussie champ Leap To Fame.

The NSW trainer famously upstaged Leap To Fame with his stable star Swayzee in last year’s Blacks A Fake.

More recently, Grimson’s new stable addition District Attorney stunned everybody when he came off Leap To Fame’s back and ran him down in the Patrons Purse at Redcliffe on June 21.

It was Leap To Fame's only defeat in his past 16 starts.

Grimson is growing in confidence he can cause an upset again in Saturday night’s $200,000 Group 1 Sunshine Sprint (1660m).

While Leap To Fame totally dominates betting at $1.30 in the Sunshine Sprint, Grimson has strength of numbers with four runners – District Attorney, Hector, Nerano and Hi Manameisjeff - in the 10-horse field.

“I really like District Attorney, I think he can beat him again,” Grimson said.

“I was a bit disappointed with District Attorney last time, but we led-up on him and he just switched off in front. He’s much better than that.

“This time he’s drawn to lead early and then sit on the back on Leap To Fame, which suits him ideally.

“That’s how he beat him at Redcliffe and I think he’s a great chance of doing it again.

“I’ve got some good chances across a few races on Saturday night, but I think District Attorney is my best chance.

“Don’t rule out Nerano, too. He’s really dangerous if they go hard and he gets the last shot at them from off the speed.”

Grimson also warned not to discount Hi Manameisjeff, who has won seven of eight starts since joining his stable, but will start from outside the back row.

“I think I’ll tell Cam (Hart, driver) to punch through from the back row and get straight around outside the leader, which will suit this horse,” he said.

Lookin further ahead, Grimson said Swayzee would be primed for his Blacks A Fake rematch with Leap To Fame on Saturday week.

"He was three weeks between runs last week and was a bit flat when Leap To Fame beat him, but I've pumped the work into him and hopefully we can give Leap To Fame another challenge next week," he said.