Tatlow just the entrée for talented juvenile trotter

While Wayne Potter is focused on Saturday night’s (Oct. 15) Group 2 IRT Australia Tatlow Stakes (2YO Trotters) with his star juvenile The Locomotive (Muscle Mass), he has an eye on harness racing’s much-sought The Redwood trophy.

Bookmakers believe The Locomotive ($2.70 fav) will devour his rivals in the Tatlow entrée to the main course on the all-trotting Redwood Day at Maryborough a fortnight later.

In a typical ‘one game at a time’ narrative, Potter is taking each race as it comes with the royally-bred son of La Coocaracha.

“Let’s just get through Saturday night’s race first,” Potter said.

The Locomotive has chalked up four consecutive wins, including his past couple in the space of six days at Menangle and Melton.

“He had a busy week and I know the margin wasn’t great last time, but I think he was holding Cognati on the line,” Potter said.

Potter expects that driver Nathan Jack will allow The Locomotive to leave the gate of his own accord from a wide front row draw.

“There looks to be a bit of speed underneath him in Valerie Lane and Rockinwithattitude, so Nathan will press forward without rushing him,” he said.

The Locomotive is already a two-time Group 1 winner from only five career starts and Potter concedes he has penciled in plans to qualify the youngster from the tapes in preparation for The Redwood.

“I’ll find a trial and qualify him from the stand,” he said.

“He stands up alright at home and I know it’s different at the races, but he should get through as he has good manners and is a pretty professional race horse.”

Potter believes there is still significant upside to The Locomotive.

“He hasn’t really been screwed down to the max yet so there should be still room for improvement for the big races in the next couple of months,” he said.

“He is strong and he showed he has the speed to come off a sit in a recent trial at Bendigo against the older horses.”

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by John Dunne, for HRV