American-bred youngster ready for Aussie debut

AMERICAN ‘athletes’ having an impact on the Australian sports scene is set to continue at Club Menangle today.

Yanks have had a huge presence ‘Down Under’ during the past week, led by the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams record-breaking NFL game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Friday.

Over in the west, American-born AFL star Mason Cox played an influential role in Fremantle’s semi-final success over Geelong just hours after the 49ers’ gripping victory.

Three days earlier, Zenith Stride kick-started the United States connection by scoring at Club Menangle in what was his first outing since November 2023.

An American purchase for New South Wales couple Emilio and Maria Rosati, Zenith Stride broke his Aussie maiden by rating 2:00.6 over 2300 metres for legendary trainer David Aiken.

With local reinsman Cameron Hart in the sulky, Zenith Stride registered his first win since emerging triumphant in his homeland in December 2021.

Fast forward to this afternoon’s program and American youngster Ringin The Captain will make his Australian debut.

Just to highlight the diversity within harness racing, Zenith Stride is a trotter, while Ringin The Captain is a pacer.

In a solid two-year-old campaign in 2025, Ringin The Captain had seven starts in America for two wins and a pair of seconds.

The son of Captaintreacherous was sent for a spell following his unplaced effort behind Really Bright in a Stallion Series Final at Pocono Downs on September 8.

Owned locally by Tony Licastro, Ringin The Captain was relocated south of the equator earlier this year before finding his way into the stable of champion horseman Luke McCarthy.

Given plenty of time to acclimatize to Australian conditions, the three-year-old has impressed McCarthy during track work.

“He’s a nice type, which has come up really well,” McCarthy said. “I’m happy with his progress and expect him to do a good job here.

“We gave him plenty of time to settle in and he’s benefitted from that.”

Runner-up in a trial behind Complete Stranger – which had won three of his previous four starts – at Club Menangle a fortnight ago, Ringin The Captain has derived plenty of benefit from the hit out according to McCarthy.

“His work has definitely lifted since his last trial,” McCarthy said. “He’s as fit as he can be going into his first start in just over a year.

“That said, whatever he does this week, he will certainly be better for the run.”

To be driven by Jack Callaghan, Ringin The Captain has drawn barrier four, but slots into three with the removal of the emergency.

Despite drawing wide in 10, Seaside Drive shapes as the main danger for trainer Peter Rixon.

Ironically, Seaside Drive will be driven by Rixon’s son Will, who just returned from an American sojourn, during which he enjoyed success as a reinsman.

Boasting two wins from his last three outings, Seaside Drive’s latest effort netted a 16-metre victory in 1:56.9 over 1710 metres in Goulburn.