Orlando ready to bloom

After finishing fourth in Grand Circuit company last start Courage Under Fire gelding Alta Orlando is back on home soil at harness racing’s Menangle track on Saturday night (Aug. 6).

The Belinda McCarthy-trained pacer was just out of the place prizemoney in the Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park three weeks ago, with the feature going to fellow Sydney pacer Majestic Cruiser.

Reinsman Jack Callaghan will resume driving Alta Orlando, having being partnered with Spirit Of St Louis throughout the Queensland Winter Carnival.

Together they will face the Group 3 Alf Phillis FFA.

Callaghan is sitting on 398 career wins and the 20-year-old will drive in seven of the eight races at Menangle’s card.

Meanwhile, McCarthy has dual-state representation again on Saturday night with a handful of starters nominated at Albion Park.

Despite racing strong numbers of her team in Queensland in recent weeks, McCarthy remains the leading metropolitan trainer in New South Wales.

The 39-year-old has trained 74 winners this season.

For complete fields for Menangle Saturday, click here.

For complete fields for Albion Park Saturday, click here.

by Amanda Rando, for HRNSW