McCarthy ready to strike

03 June 2023 | HRNSW MEDIA | AMANDA RANDO
Logo
Driver Luke McCarthy.

Driver Luke McCarthy.

Champion reinsman Luke McCarthy may be getting ready to face one of the biggest tasks of his career but has business to take care of first at Menangle tonight.

McCarthy is set to take on UFC champion Charles Oliveria in a match race as a highlight on TAB Eureka night on September 2 but before that, the Group 1-winning driver will be looking to add to his metropolitan tally.

Currently sitting in second position in the Metropolitan Drivers’ Premiership, McCarthy is just six wins behind Cameron Hart.

With only five drives locked in tonight, it’s impossible for McCarthy to regain the lead, however, he has strong chances to close the gap.  

This includes McCarthy’s drive on Bondi Lockdown in the J D Watts Memorial.

Bondi Lockdown finished sixth to stablemate Artillery at Menangle last week and has since undergone blood and endoscopic tests, passing fit to race tonight.

McCarthy also has drives in both NSW Bred Finals with El Franco De and Devlis Bling as well as Fairy Tinkabell in race nine.

The iForm best bets for Saturday:

Menangle best bet

Race 9: Braeview Kelly (8)

Brilliant mare although first up could have their measure impressing at Menangle trials.

Menangle next best

Race 5: Most Triumphant (3)

Rates highly back amongst her own after a brave Wagga defeat.

Play the exotics

The Menangle quaddie

Race 5: 3-2-10-8

Race 6: 4-5-8-1

Race 7: 6-7

Race 8: 13-14-6-11-1-12

$96 for 50%

To view the complete iForm for Menangle click here.

 

Related News

22 February 2026
Hamilton: The rise of the bonus era
Bonuses have been the buzz word in harness racing this year. NSW was the first to experiment with the $1 million bonus across its five-race NSW Carnival of Cups series. Swayzee almost swept the pool when he won four legs and finished a close second in the other (at Albury) last year. The champion stayer...
22 February 2026
Patient play pays off for Svanosio at Melton
Chris Svanosio finished the meeting with a rush, landing the last two winners to bring up a training double at Melton on Saturday night. Ultra-consistent trotter Kyvalley Maven ($3.70) found his way to the winner’s stall for the first time since July last year when he took out the Mimosa Homes...
22 February 2026
GOODFORM - Ryan's tips and strategy for Cranbourne
Cranbourne – Sunday, 22 February 2026 Race 1: OVERVIEW: SEA FURY (8) won impressively for the new stable first-up, working hard from a wide draw and proving too strong. This race doesn’t look any harder and despite the tricky backrow draw he can move early and be strong again late. BELLA...
22 February 2026
Herbie's Ultimate romp
VICTORIAN young gun James Herbertson missed the one person who would have mattered most when he thrashed some of the world’s best drivers to win the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship. The 25-year-old’s thoughts immediately turned to his mate, mentor and idol, the late Greg Sugars, as...
22 February 2026
Imperial Laz steps up in grade for Meander Valley Cup quest
Consistent pacer Imperial Laz will be chasing one of his biggest wins when he lines up in the Ladbrokes Meander Valley Cup (2698m) at Carrick Park on Sunday. The Juanita McKenzie-trained pacer has won six of his 33 starts with 11 placings to his credit, and has finished in the top five placings in nine...
Click for more