Across The Ditch with Chris Barsby

[Chief Stipe]

McLovin’s Auckland raid is on

This will be the final start before heading home.

Talented trotter McLovin is heading back to New Zealand after competing this weekend in the Gr.3 $24,000 Sundons Gift FFA at Melton on Saturday night.

Purchased back in January from the Canterbury stables of Jason and Amber Lethaby, the Monarchy gelding is yet another Kiwi trotting product that has thrived under the watchful eye of astute Victorian mentor Andy Gath.

The deeds of Tornado Valley are obvious, his Inter Dominion Grand Final triumph back in December illustrate his transformation since being switched to Gath.

Tornado Valley has won 19 of his 24 starts and amassed more than $400,000.

So, can lightning strike twice?

McLovin has won three of four starts for Kate and Andy Gath.

McLovin has made quite the impression winning five of his six Australian starts including the Gr.2 $30,000 South Australian Trotters Cup, Terang Trotters Cup, Gr.3 $25,000 Charlton Trotters Cup and the Gr.3 $24,000 Scotch Notch Memorial.

The only glitch on his scorecard came in the Gr.1 $100,000 Grand Prix when a lacklustre 11^th behind Big Jack Hammer back on March 9.

But his two winning starts since have indicated that he’s back to his best.

Gath has circled the final two legs of the 2018/19 Australian Pacing Gold Trotting Masters, the Gr.1 $100,000 Anzac Cup on April 26 followed by the Gr.1 $150,000 Rowe Cup a week later.

Both events will be staged at Alexandra Park.

“This will be his final start before heading to Auckland,” said Gath.

“I’m really happy with the way he has responded following his failure and he’s proven he deserves his opportunity in these big events.

“It won’t be easy but he’s ready for the challenge and while the depth isn’t as strong as previous years, there’s still plenty of class around.” Gath said.

With all of his racing being staged left-handed, Gath is unperturbed about racing his rising star the right-handed way.

The Alexandra Park track has caught many out previously.

But Gath is acutely aware of what’s required to master the unique track after preparing La Coocaracha to win the 2002 Rowe Cup.

“It can catch a horse out but I’m confident he won’t have any issues in adapting; he works quite often right-handed and trots very comfortably so it won’t be an excuse.

“These races come at the right time; he’s fit and in form and it will give us a good guide going forward.

“He’s not in the same class as Tornado Valley just yet but they have worked together previously.

“We’ll be staying with the Dickies and that’s all organised so we’re looking forward to getting over there.”

Meanwhile, talented pacer Aha Reaction has joined the Gath stables.

The Auckland Reactor four-year-old was previously prepared by Robert Dunn and built up a neat record of three wins and four minor placings from 11 starts to date.

Aha Reaction was unplaced against Mach Shard at Alexandra Park at his most recent start on March 15.

Another Australia-based trotter heading back to Auckland in the coming weeks is last start Gr.3 $25,000 Horsham Trotters Cup winner Monty Python.

The quality veteran performer has been under the care of Victorian based trainer Brent Lilley, during his 15 start campaign he has won twice and banked close to $50,000.

“He’s heading back home and will tackle the Anzac and Rowe Cups.” Said Lilley.

“He’s going to have another start here and then head over and rejoin the Williamson stable.”

Last year, Monty Python finished 5^th in the Anzac Cup won by Lemond before being the runner-up in Speeding Spur’s Rowe Cup.

Two former Kiwis chasing Jewels berths

Just who is in the mix for an Aussie invite for the Jewels?

Following the action from Bathurst last weekend, connections of both Lochinvar Art and Jilliby Nitro won’t pursue a trip across the ditch for the $1.2 million race day at Addington on June 1.

Lochinvar Art finally landed his maiden big race victory when claiming the Gr.1 $100,000 Gold Chalice in a time of 1:54.5 for the 2260m event.

Prepared by Laura Crossland and David Moran, the Modern Art colt will be set for the $150,000 New South Wales Breeders Challenge at Menangle on June 30 followed by a possible tilt at the Gr.1 $100,000 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on July 20.

“I’m pretty sure we will bypass New Zealand and give him a freshen up before getting ready for the Breeders Challenge and then the Queensland Derby all going well,” Crossland said.

“Now that we’ve cracked a Group 1 victory, we’ve got to start planning ahead,” she added.

Exciting freshman Jilliby Nitro justified the huge boom with a race record victory in the Gr.1 $100,000 Gold Crown Final when leading throughout in a time of 1:53.8 for the 1730m feature.

Unbeaten in three starts, the Bettors Delight colt is prepared by Marg Lee.

And with a raft of features coming up, the exciting rookie will stay on home soil.

“We’ve got the Australian Pacing Gold series in Brisbane within the next month while the New South Wales Breeders Challenge and then the Breeders Crown are at the end of the term,” Lee explained.

“He’s a lovely colt with great speed; he’s very good in front but we think he’s just as good off cover.”

But the connections of a pair of Australian-based pacers are keen to have a crack at the Jewels – Duke Of Wellington and Lulu Le Mans.

Both are New Zealand bred.

Leading owner Marv Butterworth is keen to head back to New Zealand this month with his star pacer for a shot at the four-year-old features (Taylor Mile & Messenger) at Alexandra Park before heading south for the Jewels.

Duke Of Wellington is a last start winner of the Gr.2 $50,000 Melton Plate on March 23.

And co-trainers Aaron Goadsby and Mark Jones are hoping to stamp their ticket to the Jewels with the regally bred filly Lulu Le Mans.

“We’re keen as mustard to give it a go,” said Goadsby.

“We’re looking at starting her over here this weekend and then fly to Auckland next week in preparation for the Sires Stakes and then back down to Christchurch for the Jewels.

“It would look silly if she gets an invite after racing in Auckland.”

In four starts to date, Lulu Le Mans scored a first-up victory at Newcastle before being unplaced after making an error while being placed in both the Gr.2 $50,000 Sapling Stakes and Pink Bonnet at Menangle in her next two starts.

“We think quite a bit of her and the efforts in the features at Menangle were very good, the times back that up. I think she would measure very well anywhere we took her.

“We took her to the trials last weekend and I was very pleased with the effort, she keeps improving all the time which is a good sign.

“As I said, she’ll be competitive in anything she contests.”

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