Hesitate and Luke McCarthy
CHAMPION trainer-driver Luke McCarthy will be relying on the young bucks of his stable in coming months with Miracle Mile hero Don Hugo out having a spell.
McCarthy is looking longer term with Don Hugo, who also won the TAB Eureka and Inter Dominion last year.
“He had a long campaign through the end of last year and the first half of this, so we’ve decided to give him a good break now and look towards late this year and early next,” he said.
Don Hugo was $2.20 favourite for the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on September 6 and $4 third elect for the Group 1 Victoria Cup on October 18 at Melton, but will miss both races.
“He could be back for the Sunshine Sprint and Blacks A Fake (at Albion Park) in December, otherwise we’ll focus on the big Cups in Victoria in January/February and trying to defend his Miracle Mile title in March,” McCarthy said.
Exciting three-year-old Hesitate, untapped four-year-old Kingman and champion mare Eye Keep Smiling will carry the stable hopes in coming weeks and months.
Hesitate is McCarthy’s chance to remain unbeaten in the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1mil TAB Eureka at Menangle on September 6.
McCarthy won the inaugural 2023 TAB Eureka on pick-up drive Encipher and then trained and drove Don Hugo to win last year.
Hesitate, a last start runner-up in the Group 1 Queensland Derby on July 19, has landed the John Singleton slot in the Eureka. Singleton and McCarthy combined to win with Don Hugo last year.
“He’s had a freshen-up and, with the residual fitness, will only need a trial and one lead-up run before the Eureka,” McCarthy said.
“It’s an open race this year and, with the right run, he’s good enough to give it a real shake.”
Despite Don Hugo’s absence, McCarthy could still have two runners – Eye Keep Smiling and Kingman - in the $150,000 Len Smith Mile on Eureka night.
“They’re both heading that way,” he said. “Eye Keep Smiling will run on the 23rd (of August at Menangle) and then go onto the Len Smith.
“Kingman is really exciting. He’s new to the stable, but his two runs have been outstanding. He’s going places.
“Even though it’s come around quickly and he’ll keep getting better over time, I think he’s worth a crack at it.”
Eye Keep Smiling is Australia’s standout mare and took her winning streak to 10 when she successfully defended her Group 1 Golden Girl crown at Albion Park on July 19.
“She’s going to race on for next season. She’ll have these next couple of runs then a break after the Len Smith and return for some big races in Victoria early in the new year,” McCarthy said.
PHOTOS: Dan Costello
