Boom youngster’s scintillating return

BOOM youngster Loucasso completed a brilliant racing return last night.

First-up since capturing the Breeders’ Crown in Melton last December, Loucasso produced a scintillating speed display at Club Menangle in what was his debut for young horseman Seaton Grima.

With Grima in the cart, the son of Sweet Lou dashed to the lead from barrier seven before sprinting his way to a slick 1:49.5 victory over a mile.

Loucasso’s time was just half a second outside the Australian record for a three-year-old colt held by the all-time greatest Leap To Fame!

Leap To Fame stopped the clock in 1:49 when capturing the 2022 Breeders’ Challenge Final at Club Menangle.

As relieved as he is thrilled with Loucasso’s performance, Grima stated the pacer could have broken the record if driven harder.

“It is a big relief to get that first start out of the way,” Grima said. “There was a lot of pressure leading into it.

“That said, things are going to get harder for him moving forward, so the pressure will also be there.

“If I’d known he was that close to the record, I probably would’ve pushed him to break it. When I asked to run at the top of the straight he let down well, but was winding down on the line and had plenty left.”

Setting his sights on the Breeders’ Challenge later this month, Grima will “find a suitable race” before the series heats at Club Menangle on September 29.

“The Breeders’ Challenge starts in three weeks, so I will look to give him another start somewhere before that,” Grima said. “The Victoria Derby is also an option, but given the timing of it and the Breeders’ Challenge, it’s no certainty he will go down for that.

“The Eureka in November is his Grand Final, so everything he does in the meantime will be based around being primed for that.”