Top Queensland horseman Luke McCarthy left Queensland by road this morning bound for Melbourne with his two prized pacers Slipnslide and Fleur De Lil
.
The two star pacers are due to fly out bound for North America on Sunday where they will finish their careers under the leadership of top trainer Noel Daley and Luke's younger brother Andrew.
Andrew McCarthy flew out today for North America where he will meet them upon their arrival whilst Luke will make a trip north later this year.
"They're both at the right stage of their careers to head up there, this idea has been on the table for some time," a reflective McCarthy said.
"The opportunities will be a lot greater up there for them both, Slipnslide has struggled over the past couple of seasons with consistency plus his niggling problems he's battled whilst it makes sense for Lilly to go because she has better options up there," McCarthy added.
Arguably, Fleur De Lil has been considered Australia's best racemare in recent times.
"Lilly can go up there and race for great money against her own sex unlike down here where she is meeting all the big Grand Circuit boys," McCarthy stated.
"Long term, we will bring her home in foal to one of the great stallions like Somebeachsomewhere or The Panderosa or something of that ilk, you know it, the options for her are endless," McCarthy added.
Fleur De Lil finished her career in Australia with a fine record of 28 wins and 14 placings from 53 starts with earnings in excess of $747,000 and took a lifetime best mark of 1.56.5.
The star mare claimed a host of features including the Australasian Breeders Crown Final, the WA and Gold Coast Oaks plus placings in the QLD and NSW Oaks, Ladyship Mile, Queensland Pacing Championship and the Ballarat Cup.
The Armbro Operative mare also ranks as a half sister to both Our Galvinator and Miss Galvinator who have both raced in North America with great distinction in recent years.
Slipnslide bows out of Australian racing with a record of 37 wins and 18 placings from 76 starts with earnings in excess of $1.15 million and took a lifetime best mark of 1.54.2.
The giant Perfect Art gelding claimed the Nursery Pace as a two-year-old, the Queensland Derby at three, plus he also won the Chariots Of Fire as a four-year-old whilst as a older horse he won the Queensland Pacing Championship twice plus the Treuer Memorial at Bankstown.
Slipnslide also finished as the runner-up in the 2005 Miracle Mile behind stablemate Be Good Johnny whilst he placed third in the 2006 Hobart Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final won by Blacks A Fake.
Interestingly, Slipnslide was the first horse officially trained by Luke.
Both pacers competed without luck in the recent Watpac ID09 carnival on the Gold Coast.
(Harness Racing Australia)