The Duke arrives with a “a big motor”

He came with a big wrap and now former New Zealand pacer Duke Of Cornwall is being aimed at some major Australian harness racing features following his winning debut in the country.

Arriving in Sydney in January, the son of Sweet Lou made an impression winning first-up for trainer Belinda McCarthy at Newcastle last Friday.

Driven by Luke McCarthy, the three-year-old colt rated 1:56.6 for the 1609m event which was a test run for bigger things to come.

“I really like him, he feels like he has a big motor but is still immature,” said the reinsman.

“He’ll have a few runs in Sydney and then aim at the Brisbane Winter Carnival.”

During the Queensland Constellations Carnival the main races for Duke Of Cornwall are the $300,000 The Rising Sun and the $100,000 QLD Derby.

Duke Of Cornwall had nine starts in New Zealand before being exported, for four wins and two places and set a personal best 1:52.6 when winning at Wyndham three starts ago.

He was purchased by American owner Richard Poillucci in January for a deal reported to be worth $500,000.

Poillucci has purchased many horses from the Southern Hemisphere including the 2019 USA Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year Shartin.

Watch Duke Of Cornwall’s Australian debut:

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink