Luke McCarthy’s dual-pronged attack is poised to shape the Pryde’s EasiFeed Victoria Cup, with Expensive Ego tipped to be prominent early and stablemate Mach Shard lying in wait.
McCarthy was buoyant about both his chances in Saturday night’s $300,000 Grand Circuit classic, in particular his $2.70 race favourite, who’s eased since opening at $2.25 on TAB.com.au.
“His first-up run at Menangle, he ran good time, a really quick last half, and he’s had a very good, long preparation,” McCarthy told From The Horse’s Mouth.
“He had a good spell after Miracle Mile and we think he’s back as good as he ever was if not better.”
He’ll start from gate two with only Better Eclipse on his inside, while in-form Victorians Rock N Roll Doo and Honolua Bay will loom large on his right hip.
It’s a tantalizing proposition.
“(Expensive Ego’s) a great horse and improving at this level,” McCarthy said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for Better Eclipse, coming up with a great draw, and love the way Mick’s developed Rock N Roll Doo into a genuine Grand Circuit horse as well. It’s a good field and it will be a great race.”
By contrast Mach Shard, who will be driven by Jack Callaghan, will be reliant on others to open the race up for him from gate 12, but McCarthy stressed not too read to much into his fourth and seventh placings in his Victorian lead-ins.
“It’s going to be hard from the draw,” McCarthy said. “There’s nothing wrong with how he’s going. At Kilmore he was first up in seven weeks and just needed the run and on Saturday night he got a flat tyre at 700, so he would have finished right with Better Eclipse if that didn’t happen.
“Depends on how quick they go early, he will certainly run on, but it is hard when you draw out the back there.”
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