Leading harness racing figure Luke McCarthy is thrilled to be heading to Wagga for Sunday's grand opening of the Riverina Paceway.
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The McCarthy name is synonymous with the sport but Luke admits it's been years since he headed to the city. However, he has more than a couple of reasons to be excited to make the trip from Cobbitty, in Sydney's south-west this Sunday.
"For sure, I haven't raced at Wagga for a few years now but it looked a good meeting and we're excited to be part of the grand opening of the new track," McCarthy said.
The stable (trainer Craig Cross) is bringing three last-start winners to the new track, including Wagga-owned Island Banner in the $15,900 Ladex Construction Best of the Bush Final (1740m).
"That's the main reason we're coming down was for her. We saved her and set her for that. She's owned by Scott and Kathy Robertson from Wagga so we particularly saved her for that series. She should go good," McCarthy said.
Island Banner has drawn the inside of the front row.
She was a comfortable winner of the heat at Bathurst in her first start in seven months.
McCarthy also has eyes on the $10,600 Frith Stakes (1740m). He drove the great Riverina mare in 11 races, including her last two starts, and wife Belinda trained Frith for her 2016 Group 1 Ladyship Mile win at Menangle.
Their runner on Sunday, Love My Sister (23:7-5-2), is out of Fleur De Lil, who was placed in a Ladyship Mile at Harold Park for McCarthy back in 2008.
"To win the Frith Stakes with her, if I could win that, that'd be lovely," McCarthy said.
Their third runner, First String, is coming off a Canberra Derby win, and chasing a fourth straight victory, in the $10,600 Rambler Welding and Harrisons Joinery 3YO pace (1740m). The colt was a Group One winner as a two-year-old and has already amassed $85,000 in prizemoney in 12 starts.
McCarthy said the feedback he's had on the Riverina Paceway is positive and he expects it will draw more metropolitan trainers.
"A lot of people say it's similar to Bathurst and that's one of my favourite tracks to race at, so if it's like Bathurst, it'll be great," he said.
"I'd imagine that we'll be coming down again. I don't think you'll see Sydney horses every week but when there's a feature meeting at the track, I think you'll see us down there, for sure."
McCarthy said the small track at Wagga meant the barrier draw could mean the be-all and end-all of a horse's hopes and the bigger venue will open up better and fairer racing.
McCarthy is fourth in the state driver's premiership this season with 46 winners and 51 placings from 225 drives.
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