McCarthy smiling as talented filly breaks the clock

24 October 2023

Reinsman Luke McCarthy was bullish about Eye Keep Smiling’s impressive NSW Breeders Challenge semi-final win at Menangle on Saturday night.

Eye Keep Smiling was given plenty of time to balance after break-neck sectionals were set by leader and runner-up Tin Tin Jo.

McCarthy allowed his charge to work her way up outside the leader and on straightening for home poured on the pressure to the leader, gaining the upper hand to race clear for an astonishing 13-metre victory, stopping the clock in 1:49.9 – just one-tenth of a second outside the Australasian record.

“I cannot say anything other than she just went to another level,” said McCarthy, whose wife Belinda now trains the youngster.

“Arrogant for me to say, but I felt she still had plenty left in the tank as I did not even pull the plugs, she just did everything under her own steam.

“It is quite a task to break 1:50 when racing on the pegs.

“But for her to travel three-wide and then in the chair, her effort was pretty special.”

Harness racing’s Gibson family and their Success Stud race Eye Keep Smiling and have combined with Team McCarthy to win their fair share of feature races over the years and hope to add another on Sunday afternoon.

“Belinda and I love working with Jackie. She is the perfect owner that has well-bred stock which has brought us good success over the years,” said McCarthy.

Eye Keep Smiling has drawn barrier four in the $150,000 NSW Breeders Challenge Three-Year-Old FIllies Final at Menangle this Sunday.