NSW trainer Luke McCarthy brings an elite team to Albion Park in pursuit of Queensland glory

With a formidable team including Eye Keep Smiling and Hesitate, Luke McCarthy is set to make waves at Queensland’s premier winter racing carnival.

Eye Keep Smiling is looking to make it eight in-a-row when she head to Albion Park. Picture: Club Menangle/Pacepix

Champion NSW trainer Luke McCarthy launches a huge month chasing the Queensland winter riches at Albion Park tomorrow (Saturday) night.

While defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo will be his star act, McCarthy’s team of raiders oozes star power with a range of feature race targets.

We won’t see Don Hugo until the opening round of Inter Dominion heats on July 5, but McCarthy has five runners tomorrow night, headed by Australia’s best mare Eye Keep Smiling, exciting three-year-old Hesitate and Inter Dominion trotting hopeful Constantinople.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Additionally, McCarthy, who spent much of his formative years in Queensland, is also caretaker trainer and driver for Mick Stanley’s Queensland Oaks hopeful, Soho Americano, who steps out tomorrow night.

“I love getting back up to Queensland, especially this time of year,” McCarthy said.

“This Carnival has grown and grown and now adding the Inter Dominion has taken it to another level. I’ve got a really good team of horses at the right time to give it a real crack this year.”

Don Hugo capped his Inter Dominion preparation when he made it two-from-two this campaign and thrashed his rivals at Menangle last Saturday night.

“He’s ready now. I want him fresh going into the series, so I’ll give him three weeks between runs going into the first round of heats,” McCarthy said.

“I couldn’t be happier with my horse and if anyone can beat Leap To Fame, I think it’s my guy.”

EYE KEEP SMILING takes the @GarrardsHnH The Golden Girl! 🏆

Trainer-driver @lukeamccarthy puts together a 🍑 drive, trailing the speed and peeling at the top of the lane to come away with the Group 1 feature!@SuccessStud@HRNSW_Harness@TheCreekAlbion@CobbittyEquine… pic.twitter.com/F9NzjyBLTA

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 20, 2024

Eye Keep Smiling is a hot favourite to post her eighth successive win and her 25th win from 36 starts in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mares’ Open Pace tomorrow night.

Her main target is a successful title defence in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park on July 19.

McCarthy also has former Group 1-winning mare Coastal Babe aiming for the Golden Girl.

If Hesitate beats older rivals in the eighth race at Albion Park on tomorrow night, it will open the door for a tilt at the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun on July 5 as well as the $150,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby on July 19.

“I was chasing my tail with him last campaign, but he’s come back really well after a break and I’m sure he’ll be a factor in those big races. He’s got so much speed,” McCarthy said.

“Mac Bon is another I’ll have up here for the Redcliffe and Queensland Derbys.

“Constantinople won the consolation (of the Inter Dominion trotting series) in Brisbane two years ago and is back in form at the right time, while a horse like Beach Ball, who runs this week, will be competitive through the heats (Inter Dominion pacing) as well.”

* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp

Originally published as NSW trainer Luke McCarthy brings an elite team to Albion Park in pursuit of Queensland glory