Growing into his racing destiny

Although he had aspirations of being a jockey at one stage, talented young NSW driver Lucas Rando, fresh from his best-ever season, is focused on making the most of his harness racing talents.

“Right from when I first went to school, all I wanted to do was be a jockey. But that went out the window when I was 12 or 13 because I had a growth spurt – and I’m now 6ft 1!” Rando laughed.

“I try to keep myself in good shape and there are a few jockeys around who would be that tall – but I’m thoroughly enjoying harness racing which is my background.”

Rando is a fourth-generation participant in the sport and has improved in leaps and bounds since making his debut in the 2018-19 season.

“My great grandfather Giacomo left Italy and moved to Sydney. Back then there was a lot of tracks that were holding meetings and my grandfather Steven always had 10 to 20 horses in work,” he said.

“My Uncle Joe and Mary are professionals and do very well and my father James is an A Grade trainer, but he’s just a hobbyist.”

Rando said after getting his driver’s license, he managed one win and five placings from a dozen drives in his first season.

“I started in June, so I really only had three months left in the season. The next season, 2019-20 was my first full season and I went without a win—but landed 10 placegetters,” he said.

“My dad was giving me tutelage, but he only had a brief stint at driving himself, so it was challenging.”

Rando said in his next full season if it wasn’t for one horse, he may very well have changed direction.

“We still race him, Southbound Train, and I may have done something else if it hadn’t been for him,” he admitted.

“We won a race at Canberra, and it wasn’t a strong field, but it just meant so much to get that victory.”

Hard work, along with more opportunities and also getting better class horses to drive has seen Rando go from four wins and 32 placings in 2021 to an impressive 19 wins and 30 placings last season.

“I was very lucky in the back half of the season because the Fitzpatrick stable (Paul and Gavin) where I’ve been for two years have given me more opportunities. Paul is very smart with horses, and has completely revolutionized my driving,” Rando said.

“Blake Fitzpatrick has also given me some drives and tutelage and Trevor Munday has given me a lot of help as well.”

Rando said he had special memories of driving a double for his dad in 2021 and says his first-ever treble at Penrith last December was a career highlight.

Rando was successful on leaders in Full Brother and Uncle Chan, but his drive to get True Confessions over the line was special.

Trained by his dad, the youngster settled down last and Rando waited patiently before making a late move approaching the home corner. True Confessions, an 18/1 longshot, sprouted wings to get up officially by a nose.

Rando, who gets a five-point concession claim, said he was extremely happy with his current path.

“I’m committed to staying in Sydney. I’ll still get a claim for another three or four years and it’s great at Cawdor with Paul and his wife Lynette, Gavin and Blake as well as Sean Grayling,” he said.

“I’ve got no ambitions to go out and train myself, so I’m sticking with them. In the long term, I’d like to get over and drive in the USA. I think that’s probably the dream of many of us, but that’s certainly my aim.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink