He need not have worried.

The Craig Cross-trained Alta Orlando ($4.20) claimed his first Australian Group 2 success under the guidance of McCarthy, holding off home chance and crowd favourite Our Uncle Sam ($6.50) in the sprint home.

It's McCarthy's first win in the Shirley Turnbull Memorial since his 2015 triumph with Bling It On.

"I grew up in Bathurst and I used to spend every weekend at Steve and Jenny Turnbull's place," McCarthy said.

"They're like second parents to me so to win this race is always a big thrill."

Even with a lengthy trip ahead of them it didn't stop several drivers from putting the foot down early in the battle for the lead.

Harjeet was pushed hard for the lead by James Rattray, jumping ahead of insider starter Make Way.

Our Uncle Sam was urged forward to the death seat before another of the Bathurst hopes, Courtsinsession, plucked that position away.

My Field Marshal and Alta Orlando sat at the tail of the outside line.

With a mile to go the former Inter Dominion champion Tiger Tara quickly worked around Courtsinsession but a little kick from Harjeet signalled Rattray wasn't in a mood to hand over the lead without a fight.

At the bell Tim Butt on My Field Marshal began his three wide move from the rear of the field and Luke McCarthy stuck to the back of him like glue.

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Our Uncle Sam joined that train of runners before - in a shock development - Tiger Tara began to drop out of winning contention.

Five horses were left as genuine contenders with 200 metres to go.

Make Way ducked to the inside to take the lead away from Harjeet before My Field Marshal joined the party down the centre of the track.

But it was to the outside of them all where the two biggest moves were coming.

Alta Orlando charged to the lead ahead of a brave Make Way in the closing strides of the race.

However, McCarthy would be thankful there weren't extra metres, otherwise Our Uncle Sam would have been on the case.

The winning margin was 1.6 metres and Our Uncle Sam edged out Make Way ($23) by a nose for the runner-up spot.

The winning mile rate equalled the track record of 1:56.0.

My Field Marshal ($3.60 favourite) and Harjeet ($23) were less than four metres off the winner.

The race didn't pan out remotely close to what McCarthy was expecting but he was happy with the final result.

"He's getting better with each race in Australia," McCarthy said of Alta Orlando.

"When the field first came out and he got the six I thought he'd get to the front because he's got good gate speed but after the redraw I got eight and I thought it'd be a lot harder.

"I thought Our Uncle Sam would lead and I'd maybe be behind him in the on-one, or if My Field Marshal moved then maybe the 1-2.

"After 200m the race changed complexion completely when Our Uncle Sam didn't get out strong and Tiger Tara came through, so I had to go back, but with the speed that was on it probably worked out to be the best spot."