Aiming at Perth cups For A Reason

Outstanding NSW pacer For A Reason is being set for the WA Pacing Cup and Fremantle Cup in a boost for the Gloucester Park carnival.

Leading reinsman Luke McCarthy confirmed For A Reason, an impressive third in Tuesday's Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m), would be aimed at the two Perth features.

For A Reason raced outside of the hot favourite Terror To Love and fought on gamely in the Trotting Cup, won by Adore Me.

Eight-year-old For A Reason, trained by McCarthy's wife Belinda, added another Group 1 win to his record when claiming last month's Queensland Pacing Championship (2680m) at Albion Park.

"He's going over for the two races," McCarthy said. "There are a few races in Sydney for him first, including the Miracle Mile.

"He went super in the NZ Cup and he's really toughened up this season. He's shown us he can really take on more work."

For A Reason capped a remarkable comeback from injury last season, winning the Group 1 Victoria Cup (2240m) and placing in the Inter Dominion Championship Final (3009m) and Miracle Mile (1609m).

The $250,000 Fremantle Cup (2536m) and $400,000 WA Pacing Cup (2936m) are run on January 9 and 16.

Meanwhile, trainer Kade Howson is confident Ohoka Cooper will hold up from barrier one in tonight's $50,000 Princi Butchers 4YO Championship (2130m) at Gloucester Park.

Ohoka Cooper is in sparkling form, winning five of his past seven starts.