Grima to don his best effort across Group 1 assignments

By Dylan Mutu

Young driver-trainer Seaton Grima couldn't have asked for a better draw for his pacer, Don Lou, in this Saturday’s Garrards Sunshine Sprint - however, he knows they'll need every advantage they can get.

The Penrith-based horseman has made his way up to the Sunshine State in search of his maiden Group 1 victory at the Queensland Constellations Carnival, eager to make his presence felt as the new trainer on the block.

A cabinet maker by trade, the 21-year-old began his training career in late 2023 and has steadily grown his stable with a consistent influx of handy runners, including stable stars Don Lou and My Moonlite Dream, who are eyeing feature success this winter.

Now, with his training career nearly taking over from his trade, Grima senses a Group-level victory is within reach, and he's hopeful Don Lou can pull off a miracle after drawing barrier 1 against reigning champion Leap To Fame in Saturday night's Sunshine Sprint.

“Yeah, I’m over the moon,” Grima said.

“I couldn’t be happier with his barrier. We’ll be coming out as hard as we can and looking to go all the way, hopefully.”

Despite his desired draw on Tuesday afternoon, Grima admitted that his five-year-old will have to be at the top of his game to hold out Leap To Fame, expressing how hard it will be to beat the champion pacer.

“Yeah, you can try and park him, but as he showed in his last three or four starts, he can just sit back and win,” Grima said.

“I think he’s genuinely unbeatable at the moment – his last run was just enormous.

“With the times he's run and the way he's doing it, personally, I don't think there is a way to beat him, but I’ll be trying my best, that’s for sure.”

When it comes to giving his best, the youngster has certainly proven himself this year, ranking among the top five driver-trainers in the metropolitan ranks for the 2024 season in New South Wales.

With 29 wins to his name in the sulky this season, Grima looks poised to surpass his 2023 haul of 43, a goal he's been focused on since beginning his harness racing journey.

“It’s been a good season so far,” Grima said.

“I set myself a goal to go one better each year, so we’re definitely on track.”

Participating in the Queensland Constellations as a driver-trainer was another goal achieved for Grima, especially with the added bonus of having two Group 1 starters.

Despite acknowledging the tough competition in the Garrards Golden Girl, he's thrilled to have his mare My Moonlite Dream competing nonetheless.

“Yeah, it's always a good carnival, and for the last five or six years it’s just been getting bigger and bigger,” Grima said.

“It’s my first year training and my first year participating in the Constellations. So, to have two starters across the Group 1s is pretty thrilling.”

As of Thursday morning, My Moonlite Dream was rated as a $81 chance to win the Golden Girl after a tough barrier draw.

For the Sunshine Sprint, Grima’s runner Don Lou has been wound in to $10 after claiming the perfect gate to beat sizzling hot favourite Leap To Fame.

RQ Senior Harness Racing Manager David Brick is excited about what champion pacer Leap To Fame can bring to Albion on Saturday evening - not only on the track but also off.

“It’s a first Group 1 for Leap To Fame this carnival, and he’s drawn nicely in gate four, so I’m really looking forward to that,” Brick said.

“It was a super win last week, so I'm sure he'll help bring the crowd along on Saturday night, and, kudos to the club this week, they’re running some giveaways to the patrons coming along as well.

“Should he win, I believe owners Kevin and Kay Seymour are looking to shout the bar, so that’s a nice added incentive to come along on Saturday night.”

Saturday night’s racing at Albion Park also includes The Hayden, Queensland’s ticket into the world’s richest harness race The TAB Eureka, along with the Group 3 Paleface Adios Classic and Trotter’s Sprint.