Callaghan takes the reins for 'Team McCarthy'

19 June 2021

COLD winter mornings in Sydney and Bathurst normally cause a rush of trainers escaping to Queensland this time of year.

Yet those campaigning in the Sunshine State will probably feel their holiday is over with ‘Team McCarthy’ arriving there this week with some of the stars of their Cobbitty team looking to annex some of the major features on offer in coming weeks.

But if Sydney’s trainers are expecting to win a few more at Tabcorp Park Menangle while they’re gone, they’re in for a rude shock.

One of the best young reinsmen in the state, Jack Callaghan, has found a happy home working with Belinda and Luke McCarthy and he has been rewarded with a terrific book of drives at the south-western Sydney circuit tonight.

Callaghan will be aboard five favourites or equal favourites on the eight-race program, three of those for the McCarthys.

He’ll also fancy his chances of landing a winner for his father, Morisset trainer Mark Callaghan, who has Laceys Lad, the $3.50 second favourite in Race 7, after drawing perfectly in gate one.

Astute trainer Michael Doltoff is always quick to get Luke McCarthy to drive his horses at Menangle and with Luke away in Queensland has also grabbed young Callaghan to drive the well-performed Lets Go To Brazil, the $3.50 favourite in Race 2 tonight.

After watching the likes of Cameron Hart and Jack Trainor land multiple Saturday night winners in recent weeks, Callaghan gets the opportunity to join them tonight and has three well-fancied chances for McCarthy.

Former New Zealander Jazzy Star (Race 4) was first-up for the stable when second to Ziggy Rocks almost a month ago and has been given plenty of time to settle in since then and is a $2.75 favourite to open his winning account for them this evening.

While Race 5 looks an open event on paper, there is no doubt former Miracle Mile placegetter Alta Orlando ($4 equal favourite) is the one to beat in the Group 3 Alf Phillis Free-For-All.

Pocket Of Terror (Jack Trainor) and Bundoran (Amanda Turnbull) have been the big improvers on the Sydney scene in recent weeks and should present plenty of opposition for Alta Orlando, while McCarthy will also start Bright Energy, Major Roll and possibly also first emergency Replaced Eye in the 1609m dash.

Callaghan is aboard yet another McCarthy favourite, Three Bros ($2.50) in Race 6.