McCarthy and Callaghan in fine form

Cobbitty harness racing trainer Belinda McCarthy looks to have a strong hand heading into the New South Wales Breeders Challenge semi-finals that begin on October 14 at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Just two weeks ago, McCarthy’s newest stable star, three-year-old filly Eye Keep Smiling (Sweet Lou), produced an astonishing performance to win her opening round heat after missing the start and keen judges believe the filly is the one to beat in her division.

Now, following Tuesday’s two-year-old colts and geldings heats at Menangle, the McCarthy stable showed that they have another live chance in the series when gelding Ravishing Sloy (Bettor’s Delight) was ultra-impressive after facing the breeze throughout and stopping the clock at 1:53.3.

Regular stable driver Luke McCarthy was not at Menangle on Tuesday, but was ably replaced by in-form youngster Jack Callaghan, who followed a winning treble last Saturday with a double.

“Ravishing Sloy went super on Tuesday, he was so strong and gave me a really good feel,” said Callaghan.

“I drove him for the first time at the trials on the previous Wednesday.

“That was his first hit-out from a spell and the effort was solid, which gave us confidence.

“He just did everything I asked of him on Tuesday and really dug deep when Bernie Hewitt’s horse came at him late.”

Ravishing Sloy is a half-brother to star Victorian Captain Ravishing and was bred and is raced by the Xerri family under their Sloys company brand.

After travelling to Bathurst last night, Callaghan’s busy week continues at Penrith tonight, followed by a trip to his hometown of Newcastle and concluding with a good book of drives at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.

At 22, Callaghan has achieved so much and is poised to become a centurion again this season as he currently sits on more than 90 wins with three months remaining.

With just three drives tonight at Penrith, it will be a long night for Callaghan as he will contest the first race and then must wait until later in the program.

But the wait looks to be worthwhile with all three being fancied in their respective races.

Callaghan will drive Imani in the HRNSW Guaranteed Ladyship Pace, the first of Penrith’s nine races and despite the two-year-old filly stepping up against older horses, she has drawn favourably in gate two and is racing well.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW