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

11 May 2026
Pastor Dunbar impresses at long odds in NSW Trotters Derby
The lightly-raced Pastor Dunbar claimed his biggest harness racing success at just his fifth race start with a stirring win in the Group 1 $75,000 Success Stud New South Wales Trotters Derby at Menangle on Saturday evening. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY
11 May 2026
Gloucester Park Review Friday 8th May 2026
Golden Lode Shows His Class Emerging star Golden Lode made amends for seconds at his two previous outings in rich Group 1 features, the $1.25 million Nullarbor slot race and the $300,000 Fremantle Cup, when he surged home from last in the middle stages to score an easy victory in the $50,000 Group 3...
11 May 2026
Marburg honours racing identity Smyth
The late Terry J Smyth loved a party and country racing - so the long-time horseman was given an appropriate send-off at Marburg last month. The Marburg Harness Racing Association held a special race meeting in Smyth’s honour in late April, naming a number of races after his former stable stars,...
11 May 2026
Crime Writer digs deep for back-to-back Ouyen Cup wins
The sun shone brightly, the community turned out in force and veteran pacer Crime Writer posted one of the toughest performances of his career to snatch the Gregg’s Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup on Sunday. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY
11 May 2026
Nominate a great for the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame
Who will join harness racing’s most illustrious club? The power is in your hands, with nominations open for this year’s Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame, which will be celebrated at Melton on Saturday, August 29. Some 115 greats of the sport have been inducted into the Hall of Fame and...
Click for more