McCarthy stars are Hunter Cup-bound

Team McCarthy is adding its harness racing class to the $450,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup.

Co-trainer Luke McCarthy confirmed stable stars Spirit Of St Louis (Sweet Lou) and Cantfindabettorman (Sweet Lou) would both head to Melbourne for Victoria’s biggest and most famous race.

Spirit Of St Louis, a former Hunter Cup runner-up, hasn’t raced since finishing a terrific fourth in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final at Albion Park on December 16.

Cantfindabettorman, who had no luck through the heats of that series, toyed with his rivals in the Consolation on that December 16 meeting. It was his 14th win from just 36 starts.

“I did nominate Cantfindabettorman for the Casey Classic at Melton this week, but it’s just easier to stay home for his lead-up run with Spirit Of St Louis and head down for the Hunter Cup,” McCarthy said.

“They’re both well, and it’s a 2300m free-for-all at Menangle this week, which is an ideal lead-up.”

Spirit Of St Louis, who boasts 28 wins and over $1.32mil in earnings, will be lining up for this third consecutive Hunter Cup.

He ran second to then-champion stablemate King Of Swing in 2022 and returned for a sixth placing behind Honolua Bay last year.

Jack Callaghan will drive Spirit Of St Louis with McCarthy to take the reins on Cantfindabettorman.

Cantfindabettorman beat Leap To Fame in the South-East Derby as a three-year-old, ran third to Catch A Wave in the Chariots Of Fire last year, and won the Group 3 Queensland 4YO Championship at Albion Park last July.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia