Zeus ready to fly the flag for Down Under trotters

High profile Aussie owner Duncan McPherson hopes his star harness racing trotter Aldebaran Zeus (Muscle Hill) can “do a Just Believe” when he tackles some of the world’s best trotters.

Aldebaran Zeus, a five-time Group 1 winner who also won the Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile at Cambridge in April this year, will fly the flag for Down Under trotting in the $US1mil Yonkers International Trot in New York on Sunday morning our time.

“How can you not look at what Just Believe did and think it’s a great sign” McPherson said. “Especially when we beat him when we last met.”

That was in the Group 1 Hammerhead Mile at Menangle on March 4 before Just Believe went to Sweden for three races and snared a second and a third placing in elite company.

“It’s part of the inspiration for coming here (the US), but we’ve always had huge belief in this horse.

“It’s a massive thrill to get the invitation from Yonkers to bring him across and to try and build on the credibility Just Believe brought to trotting Down Under.

“You know I’m huge on that. Anything we can do to show the world how strongly we support trotting and how much our horses have improved over time and can now match it with the world’s best.”

Aldebaran Zeus lost 40kgs on a 10 day trip from Victoria to Richard “Nifty” Norman’s New Jersey stables, which included a week of quarantine in Chicago.

“That’s not unusual and he’s thrived since getting there. Brent Lilley has been here about two and half weeks and the horse has put most of that weight back on, while getting fitter for the race as well,” McPherson said.

The most important moment so far came when Aldebaran Zeus went to a qualifier (trial) at Harrahs in Philadelphia last week.

“Everyone was thrilled with how he went. Brad Chisholm, who lives here (US) now but used to work for Brent (Lilley), drove him. He went a tick over 1min53sec for his mile with the (ear) plugs in and hard held,” McPherson said.

“Then, when he followed it with some strong work at Nifty’s last Saturday, they’re all taking notice. I’ve arrived here to a lot of positivity.

“They all know we’re not here just making up the numbers.”

Champion driver Chris Alford arrived in New Jersey on Monday and is looking forward to the race.

“It’s a great opportunity and I’m really appreciative of Duncan and the team giving me the drive when they could’ve used a local,” he said.

“I’m really hoping he draws well now. He’s at his best up on the speed.”

The barrier draw is late Wednesday (Down Under time) and, given one of Aldebaran Zeus’s major weapons is his gate speed, drawing one, two or three would be a massive help.

“History says draws are vital in this race. Often the best horse doesn’t win it, but a nice horse makes the most of a good draw. So, here’s hoping,” McPherson said.

Depending on his performance this weekend, Aldebaran Zeus may stay and continue his career in the US.

“Yes, we’ve talked a lot about that,” he said. “He’s a stallion and if he can run a sub-1min50sec mile at The Meadowlands it would do wonders for his value and the perception of trotting Down Under.

“We’ll see how he goes this weekend and then make that call, but we’re leaning towards leaving him here.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand