Murray’s little bro takes the first step

Shepparton harness racing training combination Steve O’Donoghue and Rebecca Bartley have taken their time with first-up winner Carleno (Mach Three – Bridge Player (Classic Gary) – but they’ve had a handy template to follow.

It’s more than six years since Carleno’s big brother San Carlo (aka “Murray”) had his first race start, and at Wedderburn on Sunday only the margin was different-San Carlo won on debut by 10 metres, and for Carleno, the margin was 11 metres.

Co-trainer and driver Bartley isn’t rushing to make comparisons – but says there’s some strong family resemblance between the two.

“We’ve taken our time with Carleno because although he was going well at the trials, sometimes at home he told us he just wasn’t really ready, his work just wasn’t as good,” Bartley said.

“That was the same with Murray (San Carlo) – he didn’t start until he was four either. We’ve always thought Carleno had ability, so we’ve let him find his way. It’s nice to get that first win on the board though – and he is a lovely horse,” she said.

Carleno scored effortlessly on debut at the Wedderburn Pacing Cup meeting, but wasn’t missed by punters who sent him out at $1.45, courtesy of solid performances at the trials.

The pacer qualified to race more than six months ago, with a comfortable win at his first hit-out before a brief letup. The stable then took him along quietly, trialling again in September before another short break, then this preparation recording trials victories in December and January.

But Carleno showed the benefit of the experience, coming safely out of the wide barrier six gate and working comfortably three wide to the lead. Carleno travelled kindly for Bartley once in front, going to the line with plenty in reserve.

“He’s still a stallion (as is San Carlo) but for most of the time you wouldn’t really know it. He’s great to handle, and today he just went around at the races like an old horse – a bit like Murray does!”

That’s a high compliment from Bartley, who freely admits San Carlo is, understandably, her all-time favorite.

The pair have travelled the State and the country together winning a Hunter Cup and a heat of the Perth Interdominion, and Bartley is the only driver to have sat behind him in a race. After his debut win, San Carlo won another four races on end, then ran 6th in the four-year-old Breeders’ Crown of that year, before going on to win 15 out of his next 18 starts. All up, the now 11-year-old has amassed more than $500,000 in stakes winning 30 races.

Murray’s is an intimidating record – but Carleno doesn’t know that. For him there’s just the next race.

“We’ll probably give him a couple of days off, then all going well, he’s eligible for the APGs, so we will have a look at that,” Bartley said.

“The last three months he’s really stepped up and we’d like to hope he’s as good as Murray.but it’s just wait and see. They both won their first starts, so he’s heading in the right direction!”