Don Hugo winning the 2025 Miracle Mile
CHAMPION horseman Luke McCarthy has changed plans with Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo.
The five-year-old won’t be heading to Perth for the $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25.
McCarthy made the call after Don Hugo’s tiring fourth to Leap To Fame in last Friday night’s epic $NZ1mil Race by betcha at Cambridge in NZ’s North Island.
“Tony (Licastro, owner) and I always put the horse first,” McCarthy said. “We really wanted to take him to Perth, but it was always dependent on the NZ run.
“It was a hard run at Cambridge and he’s been up and at his top since the (Sydney) Inter Dominion in December.
“He’s done an amazing job over the past eight months or so, and if we don’t get a break now, we won’t get one before having another crack at the Inter Dominion in Brisbane (in July).”
McCarthy conceded he expected more from Don Hugo at Cambridge,
“I was a bit disappointed with him. It told me he wasn’t at his best and he needed a break after a massive campaign” he said. “It’s time to pause and set ourselves again for Brisbane.
“I’m so proud of how far he’s come and how quickly. Tony (Licastro) has been great. He’s on board and we’re both looking forward to the next 12 months with him.”
McCarthy said he was in awe of Leap To Fame’s performance.
“Somehow, he seems to still be getting better,” he said. “I know there was a lot of talk about him, but I think his past four runs have been the best of his career.
“I don’t think he’s ever gone better. I read Grant (Dixon) said Cambridge was his best win so far and I’d agree.
“As much as I look forward to racing him, you know the enormity of the challenge. He’s an out-and-out champion.”
Don Hugo won the TAB Eureka last September, added the Inter Dominion in December and beat Leap To Fame for the first time in the Miracle Mile last month.
“He’s going for a break now and if we’re going to take him right up to him in Brisbane, we need to do the same,” McCarthy said.
With Don Hugo out, Licastro, who bought a slot for his star, declared he would partner with Team Bond to find a replacement.
“Tony’s been great. Gee Heza Sport would be the frontrunner if he bounces back, but we’ve got other options like Tenzing Bromac, Aardiebytheseaside and even Mighty Conqueror has come back well, too,” Greg Bond said.
It means Team Bond will have three runners in the feature with Ladbrokes taking Minstrel, Licastro taking one of its runners and the stable still having its own slot to fill.
It is a different looking Nullarbor from last week with Don Hugo out and favourite Swayzee suffering a surprise defeat at Menangle last Saturday night.
PHOTO: Club Menangle/Pacepix
CHAMPION horseman Luke McCarthy has changed plans with Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo.
The five-year-old won’t be heading to Perth for the $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 25.
McCarthy made the call after Don Hugo’s tiring fourth to Leap To Fame in last Friday night’s epic $NZ1mil Race by betcha at Cambridge in NZ’s North Island.
“Tony (Licastro, owner) and I always put the horse first,” McCarthy said. “We really wanted to take him to Perth, but it was always dependent on the NZ run.
“It was a hard run at Cambridge and he’s been up and at his top since the (Sydney) Inter Dominion in December.
“He’s done an amazing job over the past eight months or so, and if we don’t get a break now, we won’t get one before having another crack at the Inter Dominion in Brisbane (in July).”
McCarthy conceded he expected more from Don Hugo at Cambridge,
“I was a bit disappointed with him. It told me he wasn’t at his best and he needed a break after a massive campaign” he said. “It’s time to pause and set ourselves again for Brisbane.
“I’m so proud of how far he’s come and how quickly. Tony (Licastro) has been great. He’s on board and we’re both looking forward to the next 12 months with him.”
McCarthy said he was in awe of Leap To Fame’s performance.
“Somehow, he seems to still be getting better,” he said. “I know there was a lot of talk about him, but I think his past four runs have been the best of his career.
“I don’t think he’s ever gone better. I read Grant (Dixon) said Cambridge was his best win so far and I’d agree.
“As much as I look forward to racing him, you know the enormity of the challenge. He’s an out-and-out champion.”
Don Hugo won the TAB Eureka last September, added the Inter Dominion in December and beat Leap To Fame for the first time in the Miracle Mile last month.
“He’s going for a break now and if we’re going to take him right up to him in Brisbane, we need to do the same,” McCarthy said.
With Don Hugo out, Licastro, who bought a slot for his star, declared he would partner with Team Bond to find a replacement.
“Tony’s been great. Gee Heza Sport would be the frontrunner if he bounces back, but we’ve got other options like Tenzing Bromac, Aardiebytheseaside and even Mighty Conqueror has come back well, too,” Greg Bond said.
It means Team Bond will have three runners in the feature with Ladbrokes taking Minstrel, Licastro taking one of its runners and the stable still having its own slot to fill.
It is a different looking Nullarbor from last week with Don Hugo out and favourite Swayzee suffering a surprise defeat at Menangle last Saturday night.
PHOTO: Club Menangle/Pacepix
