Lilley departing, on route to United States

Head trainer Brent Lilley will depart Australia on Wednesday before reuniting with star trotter Aldebaran Zeus ahead of his crack at the $US1mil MGM Yonkers International Trot in New York on September 9.

Lilley will resume training duties from former employee Brad Chisholm, who has been looking after the horse at Richard “Nifty” Norman’s property in New Jersey for the past few days.

“He has been with us since Thursday afternoon after a week’s quarantine in Chicago,” Chisholm said.

“He had a light jog for two days and then a little further jog today.”

Chisholm said Aldebaran Zeus would likely have a hit-out at the track in the coming weeks before his start in the International Trot.

“I believe he will have to have a qualifier over here – which is equivalent of a trial – about 10 days out from the race,” he said.

The star trotter has not raced since a five-start New Zealand campaign which ended with a sixth placing in the Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park on May 26.

Aldebaran Zeus won his first appearance overseas in the Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile, but was unable to do better than fifth in his next four runs across the Tasman.

The son of Muscle Hill boasts a career record of 18 wins and almost $420,000 in prizemoney.

He warmed up for his trip with a solo hit-out at Melton shortly before departing for the United States on August 1.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria