Superstar’s “perfect” trial along comeback trail

SUPERSTAR pacer Lochinvar Art is bound for his hometown Shepparton Gold Cup after a “perfect” trial at Tabcorp Park Melton today.

David Moran gave Lochinvar Art a quiet hit-out in a two-horse clash with Tango Tara, and while he wasn’t quite able to reel in the leader during a dash to the line, the six-year-old pleased the trainer-driver with performance.

“I’m really, really happy,” Moran said. “That was the perfect trial for him first-up. He’s had a lot of ground work at home, but not a lot of speed work so that will tighten him up.”

Lochinvar Art trailed the Andy Gath-trained Tango Tara for the entire 2240-metre trip, with the pair zipping home in final quarters of 28.2 and 27 seconds to rate 1:56.9.

The January 15 Shepparton Gold Cup looms large for the son of Modern Art, which will be out to defend the title he claimed last year.

“Obviously the recovery is the biggest thing now,” Moran said. “That will tell us where he’s at, but that will be his main aim.

“I’d like to give him a run in the Shepparton Cup, then miss the Ballarat Cup (January 22), go to the Casey Classic (January 29) and then the Hunter Cup (February 5) would be ideal.”

Lochinvar Art’s last racetrack appearance was in the 2021 Hunter Cup, which he won in brilliant fashion to register a 28^th triumph and take his earnings passed $1.3 million.

• HRV Media