Hunter Cup winner Bling It On is ready to resume racing, but a big “tummy” means he won’t lock horns with Lennytheshark and co at Menangle in coming weeks.
Instead, connections have decided to send him up to Queensland to do his lead-up racing for winter features like the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake.
Bling It On won the Hunter Cup three starts back, but was spelled after a lacklustre sixth in the Miracle Mile on February 25.
He looked sharp at his first public appearance since when a narrow trial winner at Menangle in a 1min52.8sec mile on Tuesday.
“He seems well, but he’s a horse who does so well, almost too well, while he’s out spelling so he’s still a bit on the fat side,” McCarthy said. “That’s why we have decided to go straight to Queensland instead of racing against Lennytheshark here (Saturday week).
“He always does really well while he’s out spelling, too well probably.
“He takes racing to get back to his best. It’s usually his third or fourth run back when he’s peaking.
“Look at last campaign. He thrives on racing. By the time he’d come through the (Perth) Inter Dominion, he was at his absolute peak for the Melbourne races and ended-up winning the Hunter Cup.”
McCarthy also believes Bling It On is better suited on smaller tracks than Menangle.
“His Menangle form is OK, but his best form is at the smaller tracks and in longer races where there are more moves. Even though he’s fast and seen by many as a speedster, he actually likes the longer races because he still finish them off in a 26sec quarter,” he said.
“He also likes it when there are a few of the top horses in the big races against each other, so we drive him for a bit of luck and the pace is genuine with plenty of moves.”
McCarthy said the plan was for Bling It On to campaign in Brisbane, have a freshen-up then target the Perth Inter Dominion again.
McCarthy’s mood has also been brightened by the presence of some of the big names from the All Stars barn campaigning out of his stable.
“It’s a buzz having Vincent and Sicario here and there are a few more, including Waikiki Beach and More The Better, due across next week,” he said.
McCarthy has driven Sicario and Vincent to NSW Breeders Challenge heats win in recent days.
Adam Hamilton
