ONE of Australia's most exciting pacers Loucasso will take a key step towards a return to racing when he heads to the Newcastle trials on Wednesday night.
New trainer-driver Seaton Grima said just the one trial could be enough for Loucasso to have his first race back at Menangle tomorrow (Tuesday) week.
"He's really sparked right up since that workout between races at Menangle last Saturday week," Grima said. "I took him back in to Menangle last Friday and felt the difference,
"Without really letting him go, he cruised a 25.2sec quarter - that's Captains Mistress-type speed. He's just so fast.
"He'd be in a really strong Menangle trial if we went there this week, against Rakero Rocket and others, so I'll go for something a bit easier at Newcastle the same night.
"If that goes to plan, there's a race for him next Tuesday at Menangle. It's a three-year-old non-winners race, so it would be a huge drop class from what he's used to racing against.
"It would be like a glorified trial and a great way to kick him off."
Grima said beyond that he was looking at a heat and final series at Melton on September 12 and 19.
"That looks like a good option, including a 2300m final," he said. "The timing would work well with the first heats of the NSW Breeders Challenge 10 days after that final.
"It will all help to get a good foundation into him leading towards the Eureka."
Loucasso, who boasts seven wins and a second from just nine starts, hasn't raced since brilliantly winning the Group 2 Breeders Crown 2YO final at Melton on December 13 last year.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
