Since he left Bathurst as a child McCarthy has gone on to become one of Australia's most successful drivers, winning feature races in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia.

He doesn't have many chances to return to his former home nowadays, but the Gold Crown Carnival is always on his agenda.

He won the two-year-old colts and geldings Gold Crown Final in 2013 with All Black Stride and did it again in 2016 with Astride.

On Saturday night at the Bathurst Paceway he won another of the annual carnival's features, the Group 1 Gold Chalice (1,730 metres) for three-year-old colts and geldings, aboard the Clayton Tonkin trained Idyllic.

"I love coming back for the Gold Crown Carnival, especially since I was born here and I've still got a lot of family and friends here. To win here is always a big thrill," McCarthy said.

"Tonight and the Shirley Turnbull Memorial night are always special racing, not that we get back here often, but it's good to come back and a thrill to win a Group 1 race."

In 2020 McCarthy had the drive when Idyllic ran third to Tasty Delight in the Gold Crown Final.

Tasty Delight was amongst Idyllic's rivals again in the Gold Chalice and they were seen as the pair to beat.

They'd both won their Gold Chalice heats, Idyllic in a 1:55.5 mile rate and the Brian Portelli trained Tasty Delight in a 1:55.4.

From barrier six Idyllic held $2.80 favouritism and shortly after the green light was given in the $100,000 decider, the Somebeachsomewhere x Ideal Priority colt also had the lead.

He had to work to stay there as Stravinsky rushed op on his outside then Tasty Delight, after being guided three-wide, closed to within a neck as they headed into the back straight.

The speed was on with the first quarter covered in a 27.9 seconds split and the second sectional a 28.8.

With 450m to go Tasty Delight stuck his nose in front for a moment before Idyllic took the lead back, that pair putting six metres on the chasing pack headed by Kashed Up.

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Down the home straight Tasty Delight couldn't stick with McCarthy's chance, but inside the final 100m Idyllic still had work to do.

Kashed Up, with Bernie Hewitt in the gig, had launched down the inside and fast made up ground.

In the end the favourite got home by a half head over Kashed Up ($7.50) to hand McCarthy another Group 1 win and Cardigan trainer Tonkin his first Bathurst carnival trophy.

He rated 1:52.9 for the trip.

"Kash come quick and it's been going good Kash. On the turn I thought I'd shook them all off and Kashed Up, I thought I had his measure," McCarthy said.

"So full credit to Idyllic he copped all the pressure tonight. You'd think he'd go on now to win some more of the better races."

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