by Chris Barsby
Mach Doro is chasing his biggest payday in Queensland.
The speedy pacer has arrived in the Sunshine State in readiness for a two race Brisbane winter carnival raid starting this weekend.
Considered as the number two seed for the stable behind millionaire pacer Bling It On, Mach Doro gets an excellent opportunity to be the ‘main man’ following the injury setback to Bling It On suffered three weeks ago.
Prepared by Craig Cross and driven by Luke McCarthy, the Mach Three gelding is chasing the big double, the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint followed by next week’s Gr.1 $200,000 UBET Blacks A Fake over the staying distance of 2680m.
His biggest victory to date came via his first start, successful in the $20,000 Sapling Stakes at TABCORP Park, Melton three years ago.
Mach Doro, raced by Dominic Martello and Doug Webster, has always shown enormous potential but is yet to snare a ‘big’ one.
But he’s close.
“For sheer speed, he’s right up with the very best that I’ve driven, he’s very quick and still underrated in part. The Brisbane campaign has been part of his plan for some time and he’ll be ready to showcase his talent, with an inch of luck he can cause some headaches.” Regular reinsman Luke McCarthy said.
Originally prepared by astute Victorian based horseman Geoff Webster, the Australian Pacing Gold graduate won 10 of his 33 starts before being transferred to the Cross/McCarthy stable at Cobbity, near Sydney.
A full brother to former juvenile star Fly Like An Eagle, Mach Doro struck instantly at TABCORP Park, Menangle before winning again at Bathurst at his next start.
In 16 starts for his new stable, he has won 5 times while being a runner-up on a further 5 occasions.
But mistakes this season have cost him dearly in the Gr.2 $53,000 Shirley Turnbull Memorial at Bathurst plus the Gr.1 $400,000 Victoria Cup and the Gr.1 $100,000 Bohemia Crystal FFA.
His past two efforts at Menangle have clearly demonstrated that he’s ready to take it to another level.
Mach Doro was picked off late and narrowly behind Tiger Tara in the Gr.3 $31,800 Golden Mile followed by his second placed effort behind My Field Marshal in the Gr.1 $100,000 Len Smith Mile.
“He’s gone two excellent races recently; he went within an inch of beating Tiger Tara in the Golden Mile but the photo result went the other way and we got beaten by a great drive last start in the Len Smith Mile by My Field Marshal and Ants (Anthony Butt – driver).
“The style of racing in Brisbane will really suit this horse because they will go hard all the way in both races; I’ve just got to have him in the right spot at the right time.
“He’s arrived in good order and has continued to train well so I’m looking forward to both races with him, they should be exciting races.”
Mach Doro will renew his battle with the likes of My Field Marshal, Lennytheshark, Hectorjayjay and Tiger Tara among others over the next two weeks at Albion Park.
McCarthy won the 2013 Blacks A Fake with Ideal Scott.
The field for the Gr.2 $50,000 Garrards Sunshine Sprint will be released later today (Tuesday).
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