Top harness racing filly steps out for new stable

Joining Sydney’s No. 1 harness racing stable is normally a tip that better things are yet to come.

Yet even Belinda McCarthy may struggle to extract even more talent from beautifully-bred filly Peaceful (Sweet Lou), who’ll start favourite tonight in the $30,600 Golden Easter Egg at Club Menangle.

With four wins and five placings from just 10 starts, Peaceful won’t notice anything different when he takes to the track tonight.

That’s because her association with exciting young reinsman Jack Callaghan will continue.

The former Newcastle horseman has handled Peaceful in every one of her starts for trainer Cameron Ross, who is relocating to Western Australia.

And as Callaghan handles much of McCarthy’s stable driving these days, he’ll be reunited with the filly, who has been installed a $2.75 favourite for tonight’s feature.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better-bred youngster than Peaceful, bred by the Riverina’s Dianne Kelly by American stallion Sweet Lou and out of her former champion mare Frith.

Peaceful had to play second fiddle to Emma Stewart’s outstanding youngster Major Delight in her two-year-old season but will find no such hurdles tonight, where she’s drawn perfectly in gate four in Race 6.

“I’m really excited to get back on her; she’s a quality filly,” Callaghan told National Trotguide’s Mike Ko’cass.

“She’s had a bit of a let-up since her last run and seems fresh and raring to go.

“Obviously we have a  lot of respect for Jewel Melody, but she’s right up to them.

“I’ve had a few steers on her in trackwork and she feels quite sharp at the moment.

“She’s probably my best drive at tonight’s meeting.”

Callaghan has picked up a few handy ‘outside’ drives at Menangle tonight, including Mr Bohannon for Joe Conolly in Race 1, Rock Of Delight for Michael Doltoff in Race 2 and the unlucky Joe Nien for Jack Trainor on Race 3.

“Joe Nien has to overcome another tough gate again but he’ll go close,” said Callaghan.

“He ran another great second last start.”

Callaghan also links with one of his old favourites in veteran pacer Alta Orlando for McCarthy in Race 5.
While the young reinsman concedes Alta Orlando is not as consistent as he has been, he still sees the 11-year-old as a serious threat.

“He’s always thereabouts and is always capable of showing up now and again,” he said.

“He’s so versatile and can lead or take a sit and you just have to drive him how he feels on the night.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court, for Harness Racing New South Wales