Loucasso wins incident packed $500,000 Protostar

Outstanding two year old colt Loucasso (Sweet Lou) avoided race interference to take the lead and score a blistering harness racing win in the Group 1 $500,000 Protostar at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Punters considered it a match race between Cardigan Dan drawn the pole with Fire and Passion drawn next to him. However on release Pure Grunt showed brilliant early speed. Atua Magic who was in barrier 4 hung in and contacted Fire and Passion who in turn contacted Cardigan Dan. Those three youngsters then lost all chance.

LOUCASSO JUL 12 REPLAY

Mark Pitt on Loucasso seized the situation early on and he took the initiative to cross the only filly Ark Sea who elected to take a trail behind the leader.

Loucasso was free wheeling in front and Ark Sea peeled off the fence turning for home to try and make a race of it. However Loucasso had plenty in hand and he held on to beat Ark Sea who was gallant in defeat with Atua Magic making good ground for third after he was involved in the early scrimmage.

Loucasso ran a mile rate of 1.51.6 and returned sparkling last quarters of 27.6 and 26.4 seconds.

Ark Sea who had won her previous two starts ran a mighty race for second and she is destined to take a Group 1 event later on.

Mark Pitt stated

“When one galloped and checked a few of the runners it probably made me find the front a little easier than I had thought”.

“Once he got the front he was in control and he was going to be hard to beat”.

“It’s amazing the speed of these animals got better and better as years have gone on. It’s a credit to Emma and Clayton to have him cherry ripe tonight and the horse we have had a big opinion of him. It’s great to win a race like this away from home”.

“He was a bit lazy in front and I know they went fast time but once the other one got to his girth he really knuckled right in”.

“It’s great to drive an animal like this. He’s such a professional race horse and let’s hope he can win some more later in the season”.

Co trainer Clayton Tonkin was fulsome in his praise of Loucasso.

“He’s a real race two year old. He’s got the best personality. He’s so casual and he’s all business. Earlier in the season at Bathurst he’d never been flicked with the whip. But his manners have been impeccable”.

“I part owned The Highlight Reel last year when he was just beaten. This time we had our own slot. He was the right horse to pick. It’s a massive thrill”.

“He now deserves a bit of a break. He’s now got a bit of money in the bank. He doesn’t need to do too much more”.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink