Emerging three-year-old pacer Louie Lou I gets an opportunity to persuade trainer Chris Svanosio to campaign him in the Queensland carnival through July when he steps out at Melton on Saturday night.
The Sweet Lou colt faces the toughest test of his short career in the Allied Express 3YO Pace (1720m).
Louie Lou I is unbeaten in three starts this year, progressing off some promising efforts last season.
He has won at Cranbourne, Bendigo and Cobram since resuming last month, with the latest success being in the $25,000 George Croxford Tribute.
As well as taking on some smart types - including Our Vinnie and New Zealand import Ok Boomer on Aussie debut - his draw on the outside of the front row makes the Melton assignment even tougher.
Svanosio says if Louie Lou I can keep on an upward curve, he would like to take him to the Sunshine State for the Group 1 $150,000 Queensland Derby on Saturday, July 22.
He said the proviso, though, was that he kept winning.
“If he’s good enough to overcome Saturday night’s wide barrier we’ll consider a Queensland trip,” Svanosio said.
Svanosio said Louie Lou I had shown promise from the outset, reaching the Breeders Crown final for two-year-old colts and geldings and finishing a half-head second in the Youthful Stakes, won in a record-breaking 1:51.9.
He said with him now moving into better races, Louie Lou I would need to keep improving.
If he did make the trip to Queensland, Svanosio would look at the listed South East Derby on July 8 as a lead-up.
Louie Lou I is not the only possible candidate for Queensland from the Svanosio stable.
He is thinking about targeting the inaugural running of the Group 1 $150,000 The Great Square for three and four-year-old trotters with the in-form Aroha Koe and Arcee Phoenix.
However, Svanosio emphasised they would also need to keep winning to earn a trip.
Aroha Koe has won five of six starts since joining his Romsey stable earlier this season and his past three in a row, while Arcee Phoenix is a last-start winner after finishing second in last year’s Group 1 Vicbred Super Series final for three-year-old colts and geldings.
Saturday night’s Melton program features the TAB Bold David Free For All (2240m), which is named in honour of trainer-driver Alf Simons’ 1970 Inter Dominion final winner.
Bold David won 41 races, including three Lady Brooks Cups.
TUNE IN at MELTON on Saturday
First Race: 5.30pm Last Race: 9.26pm
Racecaller: Dan Mielicki with Rob Auber, Toby McKinnon and Kirsten Graham on TrotsVision.
TrotsVision: WATCH LIVE
SEN Track: LISTEN LIVE
RSN 927: LISTEN LIVE
Winner of the Week
NEVER ENDING, by Sweet Lou out of Endless Journey, making it eight straight with victory at Gloucester Park on May 16.
Breed your next winner with Woodlands Stud, supporter of Trots Centre
