A third run in as many weeks could not stop Lucifer’s Reward who has circled the field to record a tough win at Caulfield.
Lucifer’s Reward finished seventh at The Valley on June 13 before running 10th at Flemington last week and returned on Saturday to take out the Neds Same Race Multi Handicap.
Relishing the hot speed, apprentice Michael Poy came widest aboard Lucifer’s Reward ($18) before scoring a 1-1/4 length win from Proper Rogue ($8) with Elderflower ($14) three-quarters of a length away third.
Despite what looked less than ideal form for Saturday’s race, McCarthy was happy with Lucifer’s Reward’s latest performance.
“I was really happy to back-up after last week’s race,” McCarthy said.
“Last week he loomed into the race against a good field but his run just petered out, but I thought we’re going to crack one eventually so there was every reason to go around here.
“I’d hoped he would have been handier in the run but I also told him not to bustle into the race.
“He actually had to take another hold of the horse when it started to take off midrace.”
McCarthy said Saturday’s race was one of the last suitable three-year-old races on the calendar for Lucifer’s Reward before the end of the season that carries a Super VOBIS bonus.
Saturday’s victory was Lucifer’s Reward’s third city win, his fourth overall, from 21 starts for more than $400,000 in prize money, including $75,000 in VOBIS bonus money.
