New team, new trip, fresh chance for Hesitate

Hesitate (Sportswriter USA – Village Tango) heads to Wagga on Friday night with a new harness racing trainer, a new driver and, in our view, a genuine opportunity to remind everyone of the horse who ran third in last year’s TAB Eureka.

He lines up in the $100,000 The Bidgee (Group 3) over 2800 metres at Riverina Paceway, now trained by Jason Grimson and with Jye Coney booked to drive. It is the opening leg of the 2026-27 Harness Racing NSW Carnival of Cups, and the field includes South Australian Pacing Cup runner-up Forty Love and Palladium, a winner at Menangle last Saturday night.

There is no doubting what Hesitate can do at his best. At Menangle in September last year he ran third in the $1.5 million Eureka behind Bay Of Biscay and Fox Dan, beaten just 2.5 metres. He has also shown his class this year, winning at Melton in February with a career-best winning mile rate of 1:51.2 and again at Albion Park in June.

The new partnership looks a promising one. Grimson brings a fresh approach, and Coney is one of the young drivers making the biggest strides in NSW this season. A new set of eyes and hands may be just what brings out the best in him.

“Jason’s happy with him and Jye suits him. Friday will tell us plenty,” Mick Harvey said.

The trip adds an intriguing layer. At 2800 metres, The Bidgee is further than Hesitate has raced before and 500 metres longer than the Eureka. He has already shown he can handle a big stage over a distance, and a strong staying performance against a field of this quality would be a timely statement.

It also comes at a telling time. Four of the 10 Eureka slots have been confirmed, and the remaining slot holders can name runners up to seven days before the race at Menangle on November 21.

Harvey already has Bettor Beach in his Harnesslink slot and has yet to announce a runner for his Go Racing slot. A good run on Friday would certainly give him something to think about.

As always, the stable will know far more about where Hesitate is at than anyone watching from outside, and one run will not tell the whole story. But the ingredients for a positive night are there.

The Bidgee itself has quickly become a race worth winning. The inaugural running last year was worth $60,000 and went to Captains Knock. This year it is a $100,000 Group 3 at the centre of a big night in the Riverina, with the $75,000 TAB Regional Championships Riverina Final on the same card and Pete Murray headlining the entertainment.

For Hesitate, it is a chance to show the class that took him to a Eureka placing just 14 months ago.

On Friday night, we may find out how well the fresh start has worked.

 

Disclosure: Hesitate is owned by Mick Harvey, who owns Harnesslink and holds the Harnesslink and Go Racing slots in the 2026 TAB Eureka.

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From Harnesslink Media