Talented four-year-old Double Lou secured his place in Saturday week’s $250,000 Livamol Chariots of Fire after taking out the Hondo Grattan Stakes last Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Trained and driven by Menangle Park based horseman Bailey McDonough, the gelding led throughout from gate eight and stopping the clock in an impressive 1:50.0 for the mile trip and justifying his mantle as the $3.10 race favourite.
Second elect Final Deadline benefitted from an economical run in transit to finish second while outsider Seasider surprised by rattling home from well back to claim third placing, just two metres in arrears.
For McDonough and owners, the Rees family of Johnny Starr Racing from Leeton, the thought of having a live chance in a feature race like the Chariots is an enormous thrill, and the excitement provided by their stable star has been growing for quite some time.
“He has been a beautiful horse to handle from the day he first stepped into my stable back in September last year,” said McDonough.
“The horse was sent to me in great condition by Pete Romero and the Rees family and gave me my most important win to date when taking out the Breeders Challenge three-year-old final to claim his first Group 1 and also mine as a trainer.
“I am so thankful to them all for giving me the opportunity to be on this ride.
“His run on Saturday night was huge.
“We had to burn off the arm and then ran a really fast first half of the race.
“That workload told on him late, but he was still good enough to hold on.
“It is now onwards and upwards to the Chariots and I will carefully manage his work and do my level best to ensure that he is spot on for the big occasion.
“Hopefully we can snare a handy barrier draw as I have no doubt that he can make his presence felt.”
