Ego primed for racing return

The forgotten star of Aussie harness racing Expensive Ego (Rock N Roll Heaven) will launch his campaign of redemption at Menangle on Saturday night (Sep. 17).

The five-year-old lost last year’s Sydney Inter Dominion final in a controversial protest and the effort of four tough runs in a fortnight knocked the stuffing out of him. He wasn’t the same horse for the rest of the campaign.

Trainer Belinda McCarthy opted to give him a long spell and bypass the Queensland winter riches, with a view to the Victoria Cup and Melbourne Inter Dominion at the end of the year.

McCarthy’s husband and Expensive Ego’s driver Luke McCarthy said the break has proven a huge winner.

“He’s back. We couldn’t be happier with him,” Luke said. “He trialled really well the other day, has been working superbly at home and he’s raring to go again.

“He’ll resume in a 2300m free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night … after that we’ll decide if he has another run or goes straight into the Victoria Cup (October 8).”

Expensive Ego’s return is a welcome boost to the Victoria Cup after the past two weeks where comeback star Lochinvar Art, Kiwi superstar Copy That and emerging local star Honolua Bay have all produced disappointing and/or below par runs.

Copy That tired late for eighth at Melton last Saturday night (Sep. 10) at his first Aussie run and only second race back from 10 months out with injury.

Trainer Ray Green will change plans and back him again at Melton next Saturday night to get more fitness into the reigning NZ Cup winner.

“It (the tiring run) didn’t surprise me. He had 10 months out and four of those in a box. He needs racing badly,” he said.

“He went hard early and Nathan (Jack, driver) didn’t knock him around when he got tired.

“I’ll run him again next week now. He needs racing to get fit for the Victoria Cup.”

Lochinvar Art was found to have a mild case of equine asthma after his inglorious second-up run at Melton last Saturday week.

Trainer Rodney Lakey confirmed the former Victoria and Hunter Cup winner would run against Copy That at Melton next Saturday.

It’s a hugely important run in the scheme of Lochinvar Art’s comeback.

Back to Team McCarthy and they are set to have three, maybe even four Victoria Cup runners.

“There’s Expensive Ego, Spirit Of St Louis, Mach Shard and A Gs White Socks ran really well at Menangle (last Saturday) night and he could go down, too. With him, it’ll all depend on how well he goes at Menangle on Saturday week,” Luke McCarthy said.

“Spirit Of St Louis may go to the Kilmore Cup (September 23), while Mach Shard will return in a Menangle free-for-all on Saturday week.”

McCarthy is also excited about the return of his star three-year-old Cantfindabettorman at Menangle next Saturday night.

“He’s been forgotten in all the Victoria Derby talk. He beat Leap To Fame in the Redcliffe Derby and was only just beaten in the Queensland Derby by him. It’s outstanding form,” he said.

“We think he’ll be right in the mix for the Derby.

“We’ll also take Cover Girl down for the Victoria Oaks heats (October 1).”

by Adam Hamilton, for Newscorp