Loucasso goes 1.47.6 in new Australasian record

Eureka favourite Loucasso (Sweet Lou) gave what was probably his greatest harness racing performance to date with a scorching win in the Second semi final of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge for three year old colts and geldings at Menangle on Saturday evening.

A false start didn’t seem to both Loucasso and when the field was released a second time Berocca Bernie and then Nocturnal found the early lead before Loucasso worked around the field after about 300 metres from the start. The field had trouble keeping up with only Nocturnal settling behind the leader and Berocca Bernie following.

LOUCASSO 24 OCT REPLAY

Seaton Grima allowed Loucasso to run the first three quarters in sub 27 seconds and we were left with the question as to how much he had left for that final run home. Nocturnal came off the fence and chased home Loucasso but to no avail as Loucasso won by just over two metres with Cowboy Culture ten metres away third.

Loucasso’s overall time of 1.47.6 set a new Australasian record for a three year old and he is bound to start a short priced favourite for next week’s Group 1 $150,000 Final.

More pointedly, Loucasso has now firmed even further as favourite for the $1.5 million Eureka on 21 November and on last night’s performance he is capable of achieving anything.

Star three year Yottie (Downbytheseaside) gave a determined display to prevail in the first semi final. Well supported into favouritism as he was expected to lead, Yottie did just that holding out his main danger Alert Bay whose driver James Rattray had no alternative but to face the breeze on the outside of Ethan’s Revenge and Conan The Red with a one out and one back trail.

Driver Bernie Hewitt ran the opening quarter in a fast 26.5 seconds before steadying the field for the next quarter. Alert Bay however kept pace with the leader and he edged closer to Yottie as the pair commenced an epic battle down the home straight.

YOTTIE 24 OCT REPLAY

Yottie seemed to be holding off Alert Bay but Frizza who was near the rear of the field unleashed a brilliant sprint but he failed to catch Yottie by half a head with Alert Bay less than two metres away in third.

Although he fell in Yottie’s effort was full of merit given his sectionals and the gelding is a very capable pacer on his day. Similarly Alert Bay who has chased home Loucasso in previous starts indicated that he will be prominent in next week’s final. Frizza who had been beaten a short priced favourite previously at Bathurst ran a terrific race to storm home and he would have grabbed victory in another stride.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink