McDowell stable out for redemption with young trotter

You can’t beat race experience when it comes to the harness racing square-gaiters.

And co-trainer Dean McDowell was disappointed when his young trotter Maximus Meridius (Sebastian K) could only finish third at his first race start.

The stewards’ report showed that the youngster broke after the start, broke again during the race, shifted out and contacted another runner and finished the race with a flat tyre.

That first race start also finished up costing young reinsman Lleyton Green a 14-day suspension.

The two-year-old has since scored a handy trial win for Green and as a result has been installed a $2.50 favourite for a heat of the Trotters Foundation, which is Race 1 at Club Menangle today.

“We really like him and he’s first foal out of one of our mares that we bred named Maximiser,” said co-trainer Kerry McDowell.

“He’s by Sebastian K and we really like him.

“He trialled really well twice before his first start and he seemed to do everything right in his trial since that race start.

“He’s probably the best of our chances at Menangle.”

While the McDowells will be hoping to strike early, champion reinsman Luke McCarthy will arrive later with just four drives on the 10-race card.

And price assessors are onto him, because all four have been installed as favourites for their respective races.

For The Boss (Race 4) just failed to run down Im Bills Last after taking a trail behind him a week ago and looks likely to atone for that defeat today.

Muscle Bart (Race 6) resumes from a three-month let-up but trialled impressively at Menangle a couple of weeks ago, scoring in a slick 1:52.9 mile to put the writing on the wall for a first-up win.

McCarthy will look to end the program with a double as well as Don Hugo (Race 9) looks close to a win and the consistent Major Jellis (Race 10), although beaten at Goulburn after a hard run last start, has been listed a $3 favourite today.

Likewise gun horseman Rickie Alchin will be looking for a winning double in two heats of the TAB Regional Championships.

Alchin will partner the shortest-priced favourite of the day, Sugar For My Honey ($1.80) in the first heat (Race 5) and Soho Rhapsody ($2.50) in the fourth heat, Race 8.

The scratching of The Big End Oftown means Sugar For My Honey comes into gate five which suggests Alchin will make use of her gate speed and look for an all-the-way win.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales