THE new era of harness racing is here, and trainer-driver Luke McCarthy is a name punters need to get used to around Menangle and the rest of the state.
McCarthy, 28, has learnt his trade in the family business in Queensland but has always been a true Blue. ''I grew up in Bathurst, so this has always been home - NSW,'' he said. ''I spent 15 years in Queensland and the first 13 in Bathurst but when I was up there I always went for the Blues. It was just the right time to come home.''
McCarthy, recently married to Belinda, has branched out on his own on a property at Cobbity, and will target the big prizemoney on offer at Menangle from July.
The sale of Harold Park has given the sport a boost in stakes, which makes Menangle the place all trainers and drivers will want to race.
McCarthy has got in early and announced himself to punters, this week having winners at Menangle, Dubbo and Goulburn. He is still a part of Team McCarthy, which will have bases in Brisbane, where his father John runs the show, and Sydney where Luke already has four staff.
''The first 12 months here will be getting the set-up right and trying to find the right mix of horses,'' he said. ''[The money] had a lot to do with me moving down here but we still have the stable in Brisbane, and it's all a family business.
''We will move the horses around and chase the carnivals, so when the horses go to Queensland they will be in Dad's name, while down here they will be in my name.''
There would be no better way to build on his success so far than for McCarthy to take out the Chariots Of Fire and Len Smith Mile on a massive night of group 1 racing at Menangle tonight.
''We are taking a good team to a big night, and with the right luck we can hopefully get a couple of winners,'' he said.
McCarthy's Grand Circuit campaigners Washakie and Mr Feelgood will take on Menangle mile record holder, InterDominion and Miracle Mile champion Smoken Up in the Len Smith Mile.
His star four-year-olds For A Reason and Motu Crusader won the Paleface Adios and Hondo Grattan sprints, which were the qualifiers for the Chariots Of Fire.
McCarthy said Chariots Of Fire favourite For A Reason might be a little underdone. ''He missed a couple of weeks work because of a cold, and while he is healthy now and has won his two runs since resuming in good style, I am worried he may still be a week short even though he really knuckled down and responded strongly when challenged last week,'' he said.
''Lanercost is a very good horse, and the likely leader, and will be very hard to run down, while Motu Crusader was awesome in winning the Hondo Grattan two weeks ago, and has trained on well since and will also be hard to beat.''
McCarthy will drive For A Reason and Mr Feelgood, leaving father John to steer Motu Crusader and Washakie. Mr Feelgood and Washakie are coming off InterDominion campaigns. Both made the final in Auckland; Mr Feelgood finishing fifth and Washakie 10th behind Smoken Up on April 8.
They have take different routes to tonight's group 1. Mr Feelgood has worked around the Cobbity property since returning, while Washakie won the Goulburn Cup last Sunday.
''I am very happy with Mr Feelgood, while Washakie went super at Goulburn, smashing the track record, and he is right back to his best form,'' McCarthy said.
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