Aussies ready to get back into action in USA

IN Australia we were extremely lucky to continue racing through Covid-19, our friends in the states, however, weren’t as fortunate given racing was shut down with no re-opening date established.

To the relief of many, qualifiers have been run during the past week as the industry prepares for a return to the races, including Aussie horsewoman Tahn Camilleri.

Camilleri grabbed headlines on both side of the equator last year as the trainer of impressive juvenile Dancin Lou.

Camilleri took the son of Sweet Lou to the Meadowlands for his qualifier last Saturday, and although beaten by Hickfromfrenchlick in 1:49.4 for the mile, the speedy pacer had the quickest last quarter of 25.4 seconds.

During our interview earlier this year Camilleri explained her plans with the four-year-old.

“They don’t have a lot of four-year-old races in North America but he will be targeted for the Graduate series and the Confederation Cup then he will tackle the open Grand Circuit pacers towards the end of the season,” Camilleri said.

“For now he’s done everything I’ve wanted from him and the first step is a leg of the Graduate at Tioga.”

Coming down from the high of her Breeders’ Crown win Camilleri has set her sights on another feature target.

“I would love to win the Jug (Little Brown Jug),” Camilleri said. “I hope to keep building my stable and career and of course it would be an absolute honour to be able to the recipient of a Dan Patch award should I become successful enough.”

Camilleri certainly has a dedicated fan base in Australia, with friends and family tuning in when she has a runner and cheering her horses home from ‘Down Under’ with “the support and attention has been overwhelming but positive”.

Another pair of Aussie expats Lauren and Shane Tritton will also have their first starters in the northern hemisphere when Gods Spirit and My Reube Star kick off their career in the states.

• TIARN SUTTON