WHEN Todd McCarthy was growing up in Bathurst he was not really interesting in harness racing, but on Saturday night the sport delivered him one of the biggest joys of his life.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
McCarthy won the 2018 Pacing Inter Dominion Championship Grand Final with Tiger Tara at Melton Park, the way he raised his whip in triumph as he notched up the victory an indication of just how much he relished the moment.
He had won the biggest annual race in Australasia in emphatic fashion, the Kevin Pizzuto trained eight-year-old not only saluting by 14.4 metres as a $6 chance, but doing so in a 2,760m track record 1:53.9 mile rate.
“I think it’s going to take a while to sink in, but at the moment it’s unbelievable,” McCarthy, who is now based at Cobbitty, said.
“They are sensational these nights. The crowd is amazing, just an unbelievable atmosphere. To be able to win these sorts of races is something you dream about as a kid, to be able to come here and do it tonight is pretty special.”
READ MORE: Lazarus holds off McCarthy’s Tiger Tara
READ MORE: McCarthy makes Australian driving history
Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1 triumph marked the first time the McCarthy family had tasted success in the Inter Dominion Grand Final.
Todd’s father John and brothers Luke and Andrew had all attempted to do so in the past, while he himself had made three prior appearances in the decider. One of those was a 5.7 metres third to Lazarus in 2017 with Tiger Tara.
“This is the biggest of all and obviously it means a lot not only to me, but my family,” McCarthy said.
“We’ve had a crack at this race a few times and we haven’t been able to get one - to finally get one, it’s unbelievable.”
Tiger Tara qualified for the Grand Final in fifth spot, having placing third in his opening heat at Melton, second in round two at Ballarat, then winning his final heat at Cranbourne.
While a barrier seven draw was not the kindest for McCarthy, when he cast his eyes over Tiger Tara on Saturday evening prior to the race, he felt something special was on the cards.
“He’s come through the series so well, the first time I seen him tonight he looked exactly like he did on [Victoria] cup day. I said to Kevvy ‘He looks amazing.’,” McCarthy said.
“We were pretty confident with him tonight, he had such an amazing campaign throughout the heats you know.”
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here
While Mach Doro crossed to the lead in the early stages, Tiger Tara also began well and had rolled to the front shortly after hitting the first bend.
There he stayed, McCarthy piling on the pressure through a 26.2 seconds third quarter before urging Tiger Tara to kick clear.
He went a long way from home, but the son of Bettors Delight was too good. He notched up the 31st win of his career, while Anthony Frisby managed to snatch second with Our Uncle Sam ($34.50) to make it a Bathurst driving quinella.
“He felt really good,” McCarthy said.
“He got a bit of a breather nice and early there and I knew it was going to be on in the last three quarters. He felt good down the back straight and I thought it was time to go and if we were good enough we’d be good enough. It worked out terrific, he’s such a gutsy horse and I’m so lucky to drive him.”
