McCarthy now boasts the lethal strike-rate of four winners and three placings from his past 10-runners.

Blazing Ash ($2.50-fav) benefited from a clever ride from Nick Souquet.

Souquet sat just off the pace before hooking Blazing Ash out three wide in the home straight.

Blazing Ash forged to the front 300-metres from home and proved too strong to career away for a 1.6-length win in the $22,000 Maiden Hcp, (1200m).

“I thought it was a terrific ride from Nick,” McCarthy said.

“The two horses that led where both from Victoria and were hanging off the track and not handling the NSW way of going.

“So it made Nick’s job a bit more difficult and just adds a bit more merit to the win.”

McCarthy said Blazing Ash was still very green but was improving with race experience.

“She is still learning and still has a long way to go,” he said.

“She is taking small steps at a time and it was certainly a bonus to get the win today.

“I’m looking forward to when she puts it all together.”

Border trainers fared well at the meeting with Andrew Dale, Geoff Duryea and Ron Stubbs all landing winners.

Albury apprentice jockey Blaike McDougall claimed the riding honours with a winning double aboard Dottledo and Yousay Bolt.