Latest raid starts on perfect note
NO STRANGERS to Queensland feature glory Belinda and Luke McCarthy have started their latest raid on a perfect note.
Regular northern visitors, the power couple have captured majors such as the Queensland Pacing Championship, The Blacks A Fake, Queensland Derby, Queensland Oaks, South East Oaks and Queensland Cup.
With another squad back in the Sunshine State, the McCarthys have set their sights on main events such as the Rising Sun, The Blacks A Fake and Sunshine Sprint.
Beginning their quest at Albion Park last night, the husband-and-wife combination registered a treble, including the evening’s feature – Lucky Creed Open Pace.
“It’s the ideal way to begin our time in Queensland,” Belinda said. “The horses have settled in well and the three from last night raced accordingly.
“As good as they went the three are still short of peak fitness and will improve from the runs.”
Recent stable acquisition Spirit Of St Louis kick-started proceedings with a strong win over 2138 metres.
After working overtime in the ‘death seat’ the son of Sweet Lou cruised to a five-and-a-half metre win from Our Balou, with Good As It Gets a head away third.
“That was his second run for us and he has been impressive on both occasions,” Belinda said. “He gives the feeling of being a nice type which can go a lot further through the grades.”
First-up since his Australian Pacing Gold success in Melton on May 1, Expensive Ego was never seriously challenged on his way to a 1:54.3 win over 1660 metres as Imasportsstar and Blacksadance filled the placings.
“He had a nice freshen up after the APG Final and that run will do him the world of good,” Belinda said.
King Of Swing completed the treble with a soft victory in the Lucky Creed Open Pace.
Finding the lead during the middle stages, the son of Rocknroll Hanover strolled to a seven-metre win from Turn It Up, with Spankem a metre-and-a-half away third in 1:58 over 2680 metres.
“That was an ideal run second-up from a break,” Belinda said. “Luke said he did it well within himself and felt strong on the line.”