Loucasso
WATCHING last month’s epic Brisbane Inter Dominion final inspired young NSW horseman Seaton Grima.
Although the 23-year-old had made a big impression in his short time as a trainer and driver, Grima wants more.
“How can you not watch a race like that and want to be part of it?” he said. “Watching Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress go at it was something else.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be in a few nice races, including My Moonlite Dream in the Inter Dominion final here (Menangle) a couple of years ago, and Helluva in the Hunter Cup (fifth this year), but it’s what you’re in the game for.”
And that’s where Grima’s latest stable addition, the brilliant and untapped Loucasso, comes into it.
“I’d watch that race (Inter Dominion) then thought to myself, I’ve got a horse good enough to take me into those sorts of races and have a real chance,” he said.
“He’s the first real headline horse I’ve had. It’s a dream opportunity for a young trainer like me.”
Loucasso has raced just nine times for seven wins and a second. His wins include the Group 1 Protostar and Group 2 Breeders Crown, which he won by half the straight at his most recent run.
But the three-year-old hasn’t raced since that Breeders Crown win on December 13 because of some niggling issues.
He actually won two trials for then trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin in February/March, but has since left their barn and also had a brief stint with Luke McCarthy.
Grima revealed he had stablemate No Notthebuttons, who has been a revelation for his stable, to thank for getting the opportunity with Loucasso.
“Jamie (Durnberger-Smith, Summit Bloodstock) and Aaron (Bain) made it clear the great job I’d done with No Notthebuttons was why they’d given this chance (with Loucasso),” he said.
“It’s a huge privilege to get a horse with his talent and still so much ahead of him.”
There’s nothing bigger ahead than the world’s richest pacing race, the $1.5 million TAB Eureka at Menangle in its new November 21 timeslot.
“That’s absolutely the main target and has been all year for the horse,” Grima said. “I got him with plenty of time to have him spot on for that race.”
After a low key workout between races at Menangle last Saturday night, the plan is to target the NSW Breeders Challenge before the TAB Eureka.
“The heats for that start on September 29, so the timing works,” Grima said. “He’ll trial next week, maybe at Penrith or Newcastle, then have another trial or two at Menangle before I get a couple of races into him ahead of the Breeders Challenge heats.
“I’ll for a Tuesday three-year-old to kick him off and then onto a Saturday race at Menangle.”
Grima said he was pushing ahead clear of any concerns about the injury niggles Loucasso had earlier this year.
“I specifically got him scanned again before taking him to the Menangle and the vet said he’s 100 per cent fine and to keep doing what I’m doing,” he said.
PHOTO: Dan Costello
