Trots Centre: Caulonia kid ready to deep dive into Mildura racing

The next line in a familiar family to Luke Watson steps out at Mildura this evening and the Merbein South trainer seems quietly confident of his chances.

Caulonia Courage, a half brother to the well-known Sunraysia regular Caulonia Terror, debuts on the back of just one trial in the TAB Long May We Play 2YO & 3YO Pace (2190m).

_{Picture courtesy Mildura Harness Racing Club.}

And Watson is happy enough with his progression to declare him his best chance on the 12-race card.

“He’s had one trial last Sunday at Mildura and he went fairly well,” Watson said. “It was a nice effort, he finished it off nicely. I was happy enough with him.

“It’s just getting late in the year and I really would have liked to give him another one, but he’s only got a couple of chances now to try and win a two-year-old so we’ll throw him in a little bit raw and see if he sinks or swims.

“I think he’ll swim. He should be okay. He has got a little mind of his own, but since his trial he has been really good. He’s got the ability. He’s a clever enough horse I think.”

Watson, who trained Caulonia Courage’s dam, Caulonia Babe, as well as her dam, Bold As Brass, has ruled out any chance his youngster will be used for speed at the start despite a nice gate two draw.

“We’ll just play for safety and just make sure he does everything right,” he said.

“We’ll just let him go away and find his feet. It’s 2190m so he’ll have plenty of time to get himself into the race.

“He can win it. I don’t have any doubt in my mind that if he does everything right that he can be right in amongst them.”

In a sign of what might be to come from the son of Courage Under Fire, Watson has rated him ahead of stablemate Caulonia Terror at the same time in their respective careers. And it seems a decent compliment given Caulonia Terror is one of the region’s top free-for-all horses with nine wins from 51 starts.

He goes around again this evening in the Tasco Petroleum Pace (2190m) for the open class runners and will again lock horns with the ‘King of Mildura’ Bernie Winkle.

Tonight’s card kicks off with the opening race at 5.03pm, with the last to go at 10.49pm.

TALKING TROTS ON SENTRACK:

Join Jason Bonnington from 11am-1pm each weekday for Trots Life on SENTrack, which airs on 1593AM in Melbourne, 89.1FM in Muldura, 1539AM in Sydney, 1053AM in Brisbane, 1620AM on the Gold Coast, 657AM in Perth, 801AM in Gosford, 96.9FM in Ingham, 99.1FM in Atherton and 1575AM in Wollongong.

Click here to listen live and for links to download the SEN app.