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Wangaratta trainer Dan McCarthy is hoping a risky $15,000 investment on an injured horse will hit the jackpot in Friday’s $180,000 Albury Gold Cup.

Pittsburgh has won almost $100,000 for McCarthy since he purchased the four-year old from the Sydney stables of Anthony and Edward Cummings 18 months ago.

Pittsburgh was still a maiden when McCarthy paid $15,000 for him through an online auction site.

“He had a flexor tendon injury and we bought him through an internet sale,” McCarthy told the Albury Border Mail.

“We’ve had a lot of luck with horses with that injury and to have him be so sound, it’s just fantastic.

“It was probably expensive for a horse with that injury, but he had reasonably good form and is exceptionally well-bred.

“He’s by Fastnet Rock out of an Encosta De Lago mare. Because we had success with horses with that injury and because he was so well-bred, we decided to take a risk with him.”

Pittsburgh has now won four races for McCarthy and will go into the Albury Cup (2000m) in career best form after a win in last Sunday’s Albury Mile (1600m) that came after an unlucky second in the Corowa Cup (1600m).

McCarthy has also been able to share the success with his brother Brendan, a well-established trainer at Caulfield.

“It’s been great racing with my brother for the first time in many years,” he said.