Driver Luke McCarthy.
LEADING reinsman Luke McCarthy could scarcely be happier with ‘Team McCarthy’s’ triple shot at winning Saturday night’s $500,000 A G Hunter Cup in Victoria.
Two-time Miracle Mile winner King Of Swing resumed racing at Menangle on Saturday night and is on track to win his second Hunter Cup while stablemates Expensive Ego and Spirit Of St Louis will also have their share of admirers.
“That run was just what the King needed,” said McCarthy after King Of Swing accounted for Zeuss Bromac and Ellmers Image in a 1:54.1 mile rate over the 2300m journey.
“That early burn in the lead time will help tighten him right up for the Hunter Cup.
“He’s a smart horse; he only does what he has to and when he does find the front rarely gets beaten.
“He’s such a gorgeous big horse and we’ll head to Melbourne next week and then back to Sydney for a shot at winning his third Miracle Mile.”
McCarthy was just as buoyant about the chances of the stable’s other pair:
“Spirit Of St Louis has really progressed since going to Queensland last year and then contesting the Inter Dominion where he won a heat and has really continued to improve.
“His Ballarat Cup win showed he’s now right up there with the best of them.”
And while McCarthy was naturally disappointed when Expensive Ego lost last weekend’s Casey Classic on protest, he expects he will be further improved for this week’s Group One race.
He will stick with King Of Swing and young reinsman Jack Callaghan will almost certainly stay with Spirit Of St Louis.
“Jack’s such a good young driver, he knows the form, looks at the replays, he has great hands and horses run for him,” said Luke.
“And he listens too. A lot of our racing is tempo-related and when we discuss our prospects and what might eventuate in a race, you can see that Jack gets it.
“We’re so lucky with such an exciting group of young drivers in this state now; they’re respectful, well-mannered and they listen.
“That assures them of getting a lot of good drives.”
Meanwhile at Menangle today, Jack Trainor has bright prospects with Kowhai Blaze, which should win Race 6, while Oaks contender Just Remember Me will make a surprise appearance in Race 7 with young Carter Dalgety taking the drive on the filly which is out of former New Zealand champion mare Adore Me.
