Don Hugo winning his 2025 Inter Dominion first heat - Dan Costello
THE Inter Dominion pacing final has come a week early.
At least that’s how it looks with an earlier than expected clash of pacing big guns Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the second round of Ladbrokes Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Most fans, and connections of both horses, had hoped and expected they wouldn’t clash until the $1 million Grand Final a week later.
But the random nature of the field selection on night two will see not only Leap To Fame and Don Hugo clash, but also eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave and emerging Kiwi star Pinseeker are also in the same heat.
This will be the fourth time Leap To Fame and Don Hugo, who both easily won their opening heats at Albion Park last Saturday night, have met with the former holding a 2-1 advantage.
The barrier draw is the big talking point this time and gives Don Hugo a huge to square the ledger.
Don Hugo has drawn gate one and looks a certain leader, while Leap To Fame has yet again drawn the worst possible barrier for him, gate eight (inside the back row).
Leap To Fame an easing $1.60 favourite with Don Hugo at $2.50.
Don Hugo’s trainer-driver Luke McCarthy conceded he had a lot in his favour this time.
“If we can’t beat him this week, the way the barriers have landed, I don’t see how we can in the final. The draw is a huge help,” he said.
McCarthy doesn’t subscribe to the widely held theory Leap To Fame’s trainer-driver Grant Dixon will follow him through at the start and stalk him.
“No, I think Grant’s plan will be to get straight off again,” he said. “There will be plenty of speed at the start and I’m not sure Leap To Fame would have the speed to be able to hold my back, so I can’t see him taking the risk of being buried three back on the inside.
“Either way, the draw gives us our chance.”
McCarthy was thrilled with Don Hugo’s soft opening round heat win.
“I deliberately took him in fresh knowing how he thrives on the hard racing. He’ll take plenty out of that run and be better again for the final. I’m really happy where he’s at.
“But Leap To Fame was awesome winning his heat and I know the enormity of the challenge ahead, this week and in the final.”
Leap To Fame firmed from $1.30 to $1.25 to win the final after night one, while Don Hugo eased from $3.50 to $3.80.
McCarthy was taken by the performance of NSW pacer Captains Knock when second to Don Hugo on night one.
“He’s a really nice horse when he’s right and it looks like Brad (Hewitt) has him firing again at the right time. He was very brave after doing the work against Hugo,” he said.
Captains Knock escapes the stars in round two and is $2.20 against Speak The Truth and Rakero Rebel at $3.80.
The other opening night heat winner, Shannon Price’s talented local Sure Thing Captain (gate four), is $1.40 to repeat the dose in round two from gate four. His main danger will be classy veteran Max Delight (gate 12).
· Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.
