08 July 2015
by Chris Barsby
Champion horseman Luke McCarthy is heading home.
A notable absentee from the opening night of the 2015 Queensland winter carnival at Albion Park last weekend owing to Vicbred commitments at Melton, McCarthy is now firmly focused on his team that is based in the warm sunshine.
McCarthy is booked for 8 drives on the 10 race program.
“I can’t wait to get amongst the action this weekend, I love coming home to Brisbane and the winter carnival is something that I look forward to each and every year. Fortunately, the stable has quite a few up and going and it’s a pleasure to compete in these races in the next couple of weeks.” McCarthy said.
The feature event on Saturday night is the Gr.1 Greg & Sharon Mitchell Queensland Oaks for the three-year-old fillies and McCarthy is looking at back to back victories following his success last year aboard Nike Franco.
McCarthy will take the lines behind emerging talent Whitershadeofpale who is prepared by his wife Belinda; a filly co-owned by Victorian based Harvey Kaplan.
Coincidentally, Kaplan shared in the ownership spoils of Nike Franco last year also.
“This filly continues to improve and we think a bit of her although she’s lightly raced, the decision to send her to Brisbane for this campaign has proven to be a wise one and hopefully she’ll continue with her good form.
“It’s a nasty draw and this Oaks boasts great depth so her job won’t be easy but I’m thrilled with her current form; she should’ve finished closer in the Gold Coast Oaks two starts ago before she got a confidence building victory last week, she’s still on the way up.
“The two New Zealand fillies are the toughest to beat, Linda Lovegrace and Fight For Glory are both in excellent shape and loom as the obvious threats. We had Fight For Glory stay at our place earlier this year when she contested the NSW Oaks and she’s a real competitor, a great will to win.”
While the fillies officially take centre stage this weekend, all eyes are expected to be fixed on brilliant pacer Bling It On who will start as a pronounced favourite in the Gr.2 $50,000 Gurney Group of Companies 4 & 5yo Championship.
The American Ideal entire is unbeaten in two starts this campaign and he oozed class with his emphatic victory last weekend.
“We’re thrilled with the way Yank (Bling It On) has returned following a freshen-up after his Chariots campaign earlier this year. He’s never really had a decent break since he started as a two-year-old but he’s thrived and it’s been really beneficial to him.
“He felt unbelievable winning first-up when I took the drive and Toddy (McCarthy – driver) gave a glowing report after his effort last week. His work this week has been really sharp so we’re confident of another great showing.
“The draw is perfect; we don’t have to burn early yet we can still hold a forward spot while the pressure is being applied. It’s a good field and they will run it hard but that will suit us, we will back-up next week in the 4yo Championship.”
Bling It On has won 9 of his 10 starts at Albion Park while his only defeat came via a two horse Australasian Breeders Crown heat last season.
McCarthy has won the 4 & 5yo Championship on two previous occasions, the most recent in 2011 aboard Lightning Raider while Slipnslide scored back in 2005.
Other key drives for McCarthy this weekend include For A Reason, Epaulette and the Blake Hewitt trained duo of Sweet Molly OShea and Spare Me Days.
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