Awkward draw won’t be an obstacle

AN AWKWARD draw should do little to stop Expensive Ego from returning to the winners’ circle during the weekend.

Engaged in Saturday night’s Casey Classic at Tabcorp Park Melton, Expensive Ego will begin from the second row for New South Wales trainer Belinda McCarthy.

Despite the stallion’s starting position, McCarthy is confident Expensive Ego can achieve the same result as his previous visit to the venue.

On that occasion the son of Rock N Roll Heaven captured the $210,000 Australian Pacing Gold Final in May 2021.

Fourth in last week’s Ballarat Cup, Expensive Ego’s previous victory was an Inter Dominion heat in Newcastle on December 5.

The five-year-old was first across the finish in the Inter Dominion Final at Club Menangle a week later, but lost the race on protest in what was a first for the prestigious Championship.

As for his pending assignment, Expensive Ego will come from barrier nine in the Group Two.

TAB Fixed Odds have the raider at $1.35, with Triple Eight considered the main danger at $5 from gate seven.

Drawn five, Major Roll is the only other runner under double figures at $9.

“He has come through the Ballarat Cup in super order,” McCarthy said. “That was his first start in six weeks and he had a pretty easy time of it during Christmas.

“He will be sharper again this week and this run will top him off nicely for the Hunter Cup the following week.

“The draw isn’t the best, but it is a small field, so no matter where he was to settle he won’t be far off them.

“He’s certainly going to be hard to beat.”