The King ready to swing into action

9 January 2021

BEING a vital cog in the wheels of the biggest stable in New South Wales and getting to drive some of the best horses in the land makes champion reinsman, Luke McCarthy a busy man.

It is a regular occurrence for McCarthy to land multiple winners at Tabcorp Park Menangle each Saturday night when he is not on the road chasing the rich spoils of harness racing’s Grand Circuit.

Tonight, at Sydney’s harness racing headquarters, McCarthy will partner stable star King Of Swing, who is being set for a tilt at making it back-to-back wins in the $500,000 A. G. Hunter Cup on February 6 when he will clash with star Victorian Lochinvar Art and a cast of other top-flight pacers.

“He will have the run tonight and then another in a fortnight’s time just to tighten him up,” said McCarthy.

“That then gives us a further fortnight to have him cherry ripe for Melton.

“He went super when he won the Blacks A Fake in Brisbane, the most impressive part of the effort was the way he got through the bog track,” he said.

“The sectional times he was able to produce were outstanding without even bottoming out.

“There is no doubt that draws are crucial in the bigger races but on current form it would appear that King Of Swing and Lochinvar Art are the horses to beat [in the Hunter Cup]”.

King Of Swing has now won more than $1.6 million from 29 wins and 14 placings and it is exciting to think how much more the six-year-old can add to his impressive bankroll.

“We expect to have a very strong team heading to Victoria for the feature meeting at Melton next month,” said McCarthy.

“Alta Orlando, Bling It On and our newest acquisition Star Galleria from New Zealand are all heading towards the Cup.

“Bettor Enforce will head down for the Ladyship Cup and the horse I am really looking forward to having in the better races is Expensive Ego.

“This bloke has impressed me so much since joining our stable, wining all three starts.

“He is racing tonight and will then contest the Bonanza at Melton.”

All being well, McCarthy expects Expensive Ego to go on and contest the 2021 Chariots of Fire.

“He is certainly an above-average pacer but given that he has suffered leg problems in the past, we just have to take it as it comes with him.”