Former Aussies are set to make US splash

Young Aussie horseman Brad Chisholm will get one of his best opportunities since making the US home when he takes the reins on three well-known former Down Under pacers in Philadelphia next weekend.

Luke McCarthy confirmed Chisholm would drive Bondi Lockdown, Mahomes and Muscle Bart when the harness racing trio make their North American debuts at the Chester track next Saturday.

“Brad drove all three to win trials at Chester last Tuesday,” he said. “Toddy, Andy and Dexter (Dunn) are all busy in Kentucky, so it’s a great chance to support Brad and give him the race drives next weekend.”

McCarthy, who is just back from spending some time in the US with five pacers he has sent across, said all seemed to have settled well in their new surroundings.

Former Grand Circuit performers Spirit Of St Louis and Expensive Ego are the other two.

“Bondi (Lockdown) won his trial in 1min52sec and (Spirit Of St) Louis ran third in the same trial,” McCarthy said.

“Muscle Bart and Mahomes were in other trials and they both won, too.”

“We’ve decided to have the first three runners on Saturday. Louis won’t be far away and then Ego is about two weeks away.”

“I was really happy with all of them and I’m sure they’ll be well suited.”

McCarthy will have one eye on the US, but his major focus is in his own backyard with two runners – Don Hugo and Eye Keep Smiling – in Saturday week’s $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle.

“They stayed up in Queensland after the carnival, but I’m bringing them back home (Cobbitty) for the last 12 days or so leading up to the race,” he said.

“They’ll go into Menangle for solid hitouts next Saturday.
“It’s great to have two serious winning hopes in a race like this.”

McCarthy said he would wait until the barrier draw before deciding which runner he drives.

“There’s not much between them. We know the mare will draw well, but I’m keen to see where Don Hugo lands,” he said.

“Jack Callaghan is right in the mix to drive one of them, but I’ll have to chat with the owners and slot holders about that when we get to crunch time.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia