Mildura key as Luke O’Neill eyes Red-letter trotting double

Mildura’s trotters cup will be the start of a pursuit of significant success for South Australian trainer Luke O’Neill, who has lofty aims for his much-travelled Redriverdebba.

The mare will step out in Friday night’s 2022 Aaron Bain Racing Mildura Trotters Cup, hopeful a bold performance will catapult the team towards a prized South Australian Trotters’ Cup on April 30.

And the way she has been racing in her home state, the eight-year-old mare is ready to give Mildura and the $20,000 race on her home track at Globe Derby Park a shake.

O’Neill said the trip to Mildura was all about toughening up Redriverdebba in readiness for her home Cup.

“The plan is to strengthen her by running against stronger company,” he said. “I’m very happy with the way she’s going. She’s very competitive, but just lacks a little bit at time.”

O’Neill said he could have stayed closer to home and contested the Kapunda Trotters’ Cup on Sunday, but the Victorians were better and this would prepare her.

Redriverdebba, one of five off the front in the stand in an eight-strong field, has been a model of consistency in SA.

In 12 starts this season she has had two wins and seven minor placings, with her latest start producing a second in the Victor Harbor Trotters’ Cup on Sunday and her last win two starts prior at Globe Derby.

Redriverdebba began her career in Victoria and arrived in O’Neill’s stable from Queensland in July last year.

O’Neill is also taking the in-form Make Mine Muscle to Mildura to contest the Victorian Square Trotters Association Handicap, hoping to secured a Vicbred bonus.

The former New South Wales four-year-old has only had the four starts for O’Neill, winning his past three, all at Globe Derby Park.

“He goes well. I’ve left him at home for a few weeks to get ready for this. He trialed on Sunday and I couldn’t be happier with him,” O’Neill said.