McCarthy to drive Marketplace in Aussie campaign
Australian driver Luke McCarthy will drive Marketplace (Bettor’s Delight) in his upcoming Australian harness racing campaign, which will culminate with the $300,000 The Rising Sun in Brisbane.
“We just thought since we were going over there and staying with Luke McCarthy and travelling with him, he might as well drive him as well. He’s one of the best over there,” trainer Regan Todd said.
McCarthy replaces regular pilot Craig Ferguson who has driven Marketplace in all of his thirteen wins.
“It was a little bit awkward, but the main thing is that he (Marketplace) is still going to be his (Ferguson’s) drive as such. It’s only going to be for three races.”
Todd said Ferguson handled the decision well.
“He was pretty good. There was no animosity. It’s just what we think is best going forward. It not that we’ve taken him off for a bad drive, we just think it’s the best thing to do.”
Marketplace flies out to Sydney tomorrow afternoon and all going well he’ll race at Menangle next month before he heads to Brisbane for his main target.
“We’ll get him up to Queensland a couple of weeks before The Rising Sun so he can settle in and have a look at the track.”
Todd is confident Marketplace will handle the trip to Australia.
“We’ve been lucky. We had a trip down south and stayed down there for a few weeks with Craig when he was a two year old. He had nine weeks when we were up in Auckland. He is a fidgety wee bugger sometimes when he’s travelling, so this trip will only do him the world of good.”
Marketplace is likely to be joined by three year old Stumblin In (Always B Miki) who ran an unlucky fourth in last Friday’s Sires’ Stakes Final.
“That made up our mind to roll the dice with him. He’ll start at Ashburton on Sunday if they can get him on a plane on Tuesday. Maybe we can get him up there for the Redcliffe Derby on the 20th then the Queensland Derby. We’re going to find out about flights tomorrow.”
Racing in Australia has more hustle and bustle than New Zealand but Todd is confident Marketplace is well versed in that style of racing.
“He’s had some pretty gut busting runs and he always bounces through it. He led from thirteen (gate) by poking through them. We know we are going to be up against it, especially the way Captains Mistress is going. But you don’t know until you try. If we didn’t think he was capable, we wouldn’t be going.”
On his return Marketplace will have a small break before plans are made for the tail end of the season.
“I know he’s going to have a very hard run in The Rising Sun so he’ll have a break and get ready for Cup Week.”
During the last few months Todd has sat at home watching arch-rival Got The Chocolates dish it up in open grade races and he’s been impressed.
“It’s been cool watching him and The Lazarus Effect. It’s good watching your mates win good races. Hopefully our fella comes back as good as those two. It’s just good seeing these horses coming through the open ranks.”
Marketplace has had two races for two wins this campaign and Todd says the four year old has appreciated his long break after a rigorous three year old campaign.
“He just looks a different beast. I think he’s going to get bigger and stronger. He’s not fully there yet, but he’s getting there. The main thing about him is his speed. It’s unbelievable. He’s got that push button two strides speed and he can whip past them. I think this trip is going to be the makings of him.”
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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