News Article
Johnny Back For Another Crack
09 December 2009
Dual Miracle Mile Champion Be Good Johnny is looking to win his second SEW-Victoria Cup
It has been almost four years since Be Good Johnny claimed an SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup on his first visit to Melbourne, but tonight the enduing veteran is back for another crack at the $400,000 Group 1.
The winner of two Miracle Miles and more than $1.5 million in prizemoney, the electric son of Fake Left could be forgiven for slowing down in the twilight of his career.
But Queensland trainer John McCarthy said his "favourite horse ever" is showing no signs of pulling the pin just yet.
"I'll be honest with you, I think he's as good at the moment as he's ever been," McCarthy said. "He's just the same as when he won the Victoria Cup all those years ago."
So confident is the Sunshine State's leading trainer in the form and fitness of his 10-year-old that he would have rated the horse among the Cups top winning chances had he not pulled the visitor's draw of six.
"It's a pretty hard task when you draw out there," he conceded. "We just have to go back and hope they go as hard as they did in the Miracle Mile.
"If they don't put the speed on it's going to be impossible for anyone (except the leaders) to have a chance, so we just have to cross our fingers."
Be Good Johnny will be joined in Victoria's most prestigious mobile event by stablemate Washakie - winner of last Saturday night's Treuer Memorial - but that horse fared even worse than Be Good Johnny at the draw, pulling gate seven.
"We got the two worst draws in the race," McCarthy laughed. "But both horses are really well and healthy, probably the best I've had them right through this season. I can't say I could get them any better."
In an interesting twist, John will retain the drive on Washakie for the Victoria Cup while son, leading Queensland driver Luke, will take the reins on Be Good Johnny for what is likely to be his last Victorian run.
"Luke's been asking me for ages if he can get on Be Good Johnny and with where the horse is at in his career I thought this week was a good opportunity for that to happen," he said.
The Victoria Cup is the highlight of Night Two of the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup carnival and will be run at 9.40pm.
