William McCarthy wins the Thackeray Steeplechase aboard The Dominator (Image: Racing Photos) Irishman William McCarthy has delivered a front-running masterclass at his first day riding in Australia to cause an upset in the $100,000 Hammonds Paints Thackeray Steeplechase (3450m) aboard the Henry Dwyer-trained The Dominator at Warrnambool on Sunday. Arriving in Australia less than a month ago, the 38-year-old led from start to finish and in doing so brought to an end the winning run of the $1.30 favourite Flying Agent who finished fourth. “It’s absolutely amazing, honestly this time twelve months ago I was lying on the flat of my back with a broken neck and I didn’t know if I could ever race or ride a horse again,” McCarthy said.