Ego passes and Harmey reaches a new high

Clayton Harmey.

FOLLOWING a disappointing performance in last month’s Victoria Cup at Melton, the Belinda McCarthy-trained Expensive Ego bounced back into the winner’s circle at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night when he took out the Nick Robin Free For All.

It was the five-year-old’s 22nd career victory and he appeared to do it with something in hand, leading throughout to score by just over a length and rating 1.55.4.

Regular reinsman, Luke McCarthy was able to snare a comfortable 60.3 second first half of the last mile, and then ramped things up to post a fast 53.1s final stanza.

Team McCarthy will now aim Expensive Ego at the upcoming Inter Dominion series to be held in Victoria with the first round of heats kicking off at Ballarat on November 26.

On Friday night, Hunter Valley trainer Clayton Harmey realised a special milestone when he landed a winning double at Newcastle, taking his career tally past 1000 wins.

The astute horseman started the night off perfectly when Mitsi Gaynor was able to score narrowly, getting up in the last stride with Blake Hughes in the gig. 

The stable backed it up in the following race when Abdicate, driven by Grace Panella, led throughout and fought on strongly after being pressured for the majority of the mile journey.

Harmey has four runners engaged at Newcastle this afternoon and will be looking to build on his already impressive training tally.

Despite having poor recent form, three-year-old Beatboxer is favoured to take out the opening event and from barrier four, the gelding is likely to race prominently.

Clayton is producing two-year-old filly Always Idle for her racetrack debut and she has drawn barrier one in the second race this afternoon.

She scored a narrow win in a recent Newcastle trial and should be kept under notice.

Menangle reinsman Robert Morris has a busy afternoon with six drives and the International Paceway has always been a happy hunting ground for him. 

While most of his drives appear to be sound each-way chances, Bonus Bet, a filly trained by his wife KerryAnn should be hard to hold out.

She won a consolation of the Bathurst Gold Tiara in March before being sent for a spell.

And the daughter of Sweet Lou took up where she left off by winning at Newcastle on October 24.