by Adam Hamilton
Luke McCarthy fell in love with harness racing at Bathurst. And last Saturday night he returned “home” to his first love and stole the show.
McCarthy co-trained and drove three winners on the stellar night, including the rapidly-improving Astride (Somebeachsomewhere-Pearl Stride) in the marquee race, the $102,000 Gold Crown final.
“I grew up going to the trots at Bathurst. Dad (John) was a butcher there before he moved the family to Queensland when I was 16,” Luke said.
“That’s why it’s always so special to go back there at Gold Crown time, to go back and win the big one was awesome.”
McCarthy’s wife and co-trainer, Belinda, said Astride’s win was “a bit of a pleasant surprise.”
“A couple of weeks ago we weren’t even sure if we’d have a runner in the Crown, but both Astride and Awesome Stride improved quickly, especially Astride,” she said.
Ironically, Astride smashed the clock in the fastest heat beating the John McCarthy trained and driven Bettor Be Gold.
In the final, Astride worked his way to the lead from gate four and won strongly in a 1.56.4 mile rate for 1730m from Amanda Turnbull’s Wardan Express with Bettor Be Gold a big third.
“It’s great to share a win like that with Emilio (Rosati),” Belinda said. “He spent the rest of the night walking around with the rug draped over his shoulders. It meant a lot to him.”
Rosati, renowned for being such a big player at the yearling sales, bred Astride himself.
“It’s something he’s doing more of and gee he’s got some well-bred stock,” Belinda said.
The McCarthys’ other wins came with superbly-bred two-year-old filly Parisian Rockstar (Rocknroll Hanover-Left In Paris) in a consolation of the Tiara and Makes Every Scents in the eighth race.
“I’m going to take Makes Every Scents down to Melbourne for some mares’ races with My Willow,” Luke said.
In other stable news, stable star Bling It On is back in work with a review to a racing return at the end of April.
“He’s got the Len Smith Mile and then the Queensland Winter Carnival,” Luke said.
“It’ll be a busy middle of the year for us with Queensland and so many big races which suit out horses, including the Australian Gold, down in Melbourne.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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