LICASTRO LINKS WITH REES FAMILY FOR TAB EUREKA

Riverina owned four-year-old Double Lou is the second pacer to be locked in for the upcoming $1.5 million TAB Eureka which is scheduled to be run at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday, November 21.

The talented son of Sweet Lou has been picked up by Tony Licastro’s ‘The Don’ syndicate in a deal that was struck between Double Lou’s owners, the Leeton based Rees family of Johnny Star Racing and Licastro late last week with the announcement being made on Tuesday that the well performed gelding would be taking his place in the world’s richest pacing event.

“We have been lucky enough to win this race as owners with Don Hugo, and I would love to relive that euphoric experience believing this fella has what it takes to get the job done for our slot and for the Rees Family.”

“Ever since we knew we were awarded a slot, I have been on the hunt and we seriously looked at a few options, but it was hard to go past this horse,” Licastro explained.

“I believe that he is a star on the rise and the race is being held at his home track of Menangle.”

“He has been able to capture feature races at the track in the past which is a great benefit for his confidence going into such a high-pressure race.”

Gaining a start in the Eureka is a real feather in the cap of up-and-coming trainer, driver Bailey McDonough and his partner Sofia Ardversson.

Preparing a small but select team out of the training complex at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Double Lou is no doubt McDonough’s stable star which has put him in the position of preparing a horse to race in the biggest race of his fledgling career.

Not seen at the races since July, Double Lou cruised around in a trial at Menangle on September 23 and will be one of the notable entrants for the upcoming New South Wales Breeders Challenge Series four-year-old Entires and Geldings division.

He will be defending his crown having won the three-year-old edition last season.

Harness Racing in New South Wales follows its regular Thursday pattern with Tamworth racing this afternoon while Penrith follows them in the evening, both venues boasting strong nine-race programs.

Tamworth’s leading trainer Tom Ison has fifteen runners engaged at his home track, his best winning chance being Barrys Brother in race two.

Leeton owner-breeder John Rees celebrates his family's first group one win as Bailey McDonough drives Double Lou to victory on Saturday. Pictures by Club Menangle