Jack ready to be quick as McCarthy’s Vic invasion begins at Bendigo

It may start with a ripple and then come with a wave but the impressive force of the Belinda McCarthy’s New South Wales camp will quickly be felt this Victorian summer.

Tonight young reinsman Jack Callaghan will pilot Aldebaran Revani and Spirit Of St Louis on Garrards Horse And Hound Bendigo Pacing Cup night, with presumably much more to come as momentum builds to the February 4 What The Hill Great Southern Star and February 5 Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup.

Largely overshadowed by brilliant stablemates Expensive Ego and King Of Swing, Callaghan told Trots Talk that Spirit Of St Louis was ready to make his own mark after a coming-of-age four-year-old season, which culminated in a last start eighth in the Inter Dominion final.

“He seems really well,” Callaghan said. “Obviously he ran through that series, won a heat, and he’s definitely up to this grade. I think Saturday night he will be very competitive.

“Last season, later on in the season, was the first time he’d really stepped into the waters and handled himself really well. He’s just a real nice little high-speed horse and he’s definitely going to be able to compete with Grand Circuit races throughout this season.”

The pair will launch from gate two in Saturday night’s $70,000 Group 2 final, outside only fast starting Torrid Saint and sharing the front row with favourite Triple Eight (gate five) and Cranbourne Cup winner Supreme Dominator (gate eight).

Callaghan said he was “not too sure at the moment” on race tactics, but he was confident Spirit Of St Louis had the tricks to make his own luck.

“He’s got gate speed and led and just got beat in his first Inter Dominion heat, and then he’s come off the pace as well, so he’s pretty versatile,” he said. “We’ll just have to weigh up options, we’ve got plenty of them anyway.”

Callaghan will also be a keenly watched participant in the Aldebaran Park Maori Mile when he guides Duncan McPherson’s lightly raced but beautifully bred trotter Aldebaran Revani.

Having kicked off her career in the US, she raced for McCarthy from June last year and her seven Australian starts produced a second on debut and then a string of six victories, including a 1:52.7 mile rate win at Menangle at her last start.

Just 1.2 seconds outside Maori Time’s track record, it’s quicker than any time that’s been run at Bendigo, where Sparkling Success set the benchmark (1:53.9) in the 2018 version of this race.

Aldebaran Revani will likely have to be express to keep her winning streak going, stepping up in class to tackle Victoria’s best, an extraordinary field that includes the likes of million-dollar champion Tornado Valley, who drew gate one.

“I think she will be really good. She’s a pretty nice mare this one,” Callaghan said.

“This is the first time she’s stepped up to that Group class, but the times she’s been running and the way she’s been doing it at Menangle are just outstanding. I think she’ll be giving it a really good shake.”

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