Jack surging his way to the top

Young harness racing driver Jack Callaghan is rising to the top in New South Wales and validated his talent with his first taste of interstate driving in Victoria tonight.

The 20-year-old reinsman claimed the $70,000 Group 2 Bendigo Cup with Spirit Of St Louis.

Giving a big salute as he crossed the finish line, that was his ninth Group race victory, in a career that only started in the 2017/18 season.

“It was a massive thrill to win this race here,” said Callaghan.

Taking the drive for trainer Belinda McCarthy, Callaghan worked his way to the front with Spirit Of St Louis and dictated terms throughout the 2650m feature.

The final two quarters of 27.8 and 26.7 seconds only let the likes of Triple Eight and Tango Tara within four metres of Spirit Of St Louis who clocked 1:58.6.

Watch the race unfold below:

It has been a big year for the five-year-old Sweet Lou gelding, having only started racing in Australia last June and he has secured six wins in that time including a heat of the Inter Dominion.

“I thought he would be the one to beat in front,” said Callaghan.

“A horse that can follow speed like he can and finish off with quick sectionals, he is a type of horse that can win any race.”

That was Callaghan’s first race drive behind the pacer, however, he has driven him in trackwork as he is a stable foreman for McCarthy and her husband Luke.

“Luke and Belinda are great to work for and since I moved to Sydney they have taken me under their wing,” said Callaghan.

“It’s great to reward them in bigger races like this.”

It has been a strong start to the new season for Callaghan who just last week won the Group 3 Intercity Pace Final at Maitland with Chevron Art.

Callaghan has driven 290 winners in his career.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink