McCarthy-mania to continue?
LUKE McCarthy insists he has the right horse to maintain his unbeaten record in the $2.1mil TAB Eureka.
McCarthy landed the late pick up drive on Emma Stewart’s former star mare Encipher to win in 2023 and then trained and drove his own star, Don Hugo, to win last year.
Brilliant three-year-old Hesitate carries his hopes into Saturday night at Menangle.
“He’s the most dangerous horse in the race with the right run,” he said. “His speed is lethal and if the four-year-olds get up on the speed and make it a true test, I’ll be hard to hold out.”
McCarthy won with Don Hugo off a five-week break and it will be even longer if Hesitate can win. He hasn’t started for seven weeks, since finishing second in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Albion Park on July 19.
“That’s no issue. In fact, it’s a plus. He had a strong winter in Brisbane and got a great foundation,” he said.
“I did nominate him for a three-year-old race at Menangle last Saturday, but it was a blessing it didn’t stand-up because he had a stronger workout between races with Kingman than he would’ve had in that race.
“He’s right where I want him. I can see and feel how much he’s come on since Brisbane.”
McCarthy said he would be “very positive” at the start from gate two.
“You have to make the most of a draw like that,” he said. “I don’t think I’ll get across Seathestars, but I’ll be striding out early to hold out the rest of the three-year-olds from getting across me. I’d only sit on a four-year-old.
“I think the four-year-olds, especially Bay Of Biscay and Miki To Success, will be put into it early and want to try and use their strength.
“I’d love to be sitting just off them with the last crack at them.”
McCarthy also has a huge hand in the other major, the $150,000 Group 1 Len Smith Mile, with Kingman and Eye Keep Smiling.
“Given the draw, Kingman is the better winning chance and I’d have him driven him if that’s all it came down to, but the mare has been so special to me,” he said.
“It’s going to be hard for the mare from the outside. I’m going to take her back to last, so they’ll need to run a 53sec first half to bring the backmarkers into it.
“It’s not out of the question with Swayzee in the race. I can’t see a way for Swayzee to find the lead and if he’s parked, they’ll really run along.
“Kingman is a different story. He’s a beast this horse and he’s just going to keep getting better and better.
“He can win this. His workout with Hesitate was fantastic. He was so strong on the line.
“He can be a player early. He’s tough and fast. I think he’s a huge chance.”
PHOTO: Hesitate – Club Menangle/Pacepix
