Driver Luke McCarthy pleased with Bling It On's draw in Saturday night's 50th Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle. Photo by Joel Fowler
AMANDA RANDO | @Amanda_Rando
REINSMAN Luke McCarthy is one happy man.
He believes his drive in this Saturday night’s 50th Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle could not have been given a better draw.
McCarthy will partner Bling It On, who is currently the third favourite with TAB Fixed Odds at $6 after drawing barrier three for the $750,000 sprint test.
Bling It On will actually come out of gate two if the second emergency Major Crocker is not needed.
“That’s the perfect draw for him,” McCarthy said.
“He will be able to settle right on the speed.”
Unlike last Saturday night’s Miracle Mile prelude where Bling It On was forced to do all of the work outside the leader and ultimately finished fifth, McCarthy will be looking for an easier run this Saturday night.
“That really isn’t his go but we had to work into the race at some stage,” McCarthy said.
“I thought he held on well and it was his first run in a fortnight so he will probably be better for it.
“Drawn well in the Miracle Mile we won’t have to do as much work with him hopefully.”
Bling It On, an A.G. Hunter Cup winner two starts ago, worked forward in that Grand Circuit feature before McCarthy handed the lead over to Mark Purdon and his pacer Smolda.
And it could be a similar scenario this Saturday night, however, it could be a different Purdon runner that takes the lead.
The top New Zealand conditioner has a three-pronged attack in the feature with Smolda drawing gate one, Our Waikiki Beach in barrier four and Lazarus in barrier eight.
However, McCarthy believes a horse outside of the Purdon trifecta will dictate the terms early.
“Hectorjayjay (barrier 10) has the gatespeed to cross and that makes him a threat,” McCarthy said.
“I still say Lazarus is the main danger but Hector ran a great race to win his Miracle Mile qualifier while Lenny (Lennytheshark) went super the other night as well and seems to be back to his best.”
Bling It On is trained by McCarthy’s father John, who also prepares the talented mare Frith who has also drawn well for her feature assault at Menangle on Saturday night.
Frith has drawn barrier two for the Group 1 Ladyship Mile, a race she won last year.
“That’s a super draw for her,” McCarthy said.
“I was really happy with her first up run and she will be a lot fitter for it.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
To arrange an interview or for further information please contact:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando
