Hesitate and Luke McCarthy - Photo courtesy of Dan Costello
CHAMPION driver Luke McCarthy makes the first of two Melton raids on Saturday night.
The Cobbitty-based horseman brings his young star Hesitate back to where he began his career for a heat of the Victoria Derby.
McCarthy has also been snapped-up by fellow NSW trainer Jason Grimson to drive his three Melton runners – Our Sweet Delight, Miki Pins and Tuapeka Lou – on the card.
His other drives are on Mick Stanley’s Queensland Oaks winner Soho Americano in a heat of the Victoria Oaks (race one) and Damien Burns’ Boulevard Bart in a heat of the Derby (race five).
McCarthy also confirmed his emerging open-class star Kingman would head down for Saturday week’s $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup.
Kingman underlined his potential when he stalked and easily ran down the great Swayzee at Menangle last Saturday night.
“It’s always great to get back to Melton on these big nights,” McCarthy said.
“I’ve picked up some nice drives this week and I’m excited about Hesitate in the Derby, too.”
Hesitate’s chance has been boosted by the scratching of early favourite Go Miki in the first and strongest Derby heat.
McCarthy isn’t fazed by a back row draw.
“No, it suits us,” he said. “He had that one run back at Menangle where, under the ratings system, he had to race the free-for-allers and he ran a good second.
“He’ll be better for that and gets back against his own age.
“He ran that great third in the TAB Eureka and I’m sure he’ll be right in what looks a strong race.”
McCarthy said he was excited to unleash Kingman in the Victoria Cup next week.
“Look, it’s hard to see us beating Leap To Fame, he’s just so good, but my horse is ready for these races now,” he said.
“He really impressed with that latest win and seems to be getting better all the time.
“Put it this way, if I happened to draw to find the front and Leap To Fame drew out the back, I’d be happy to hold the lead over the middle distance (2240m).”
McCarthy also expects improvement from Swayzee from his last start defeat by Kingman.
“He didn’t run along as hard as he usually would, which suggests they felt he had improvement to come,” he said.
“He’s had those two runs back now and you’d think he’d be peaking for next week.
“He’s such a great stayer, you’ve got to respect him.”
PHOTO: Dan Costello
