Harness racing: Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo bypasses Nullarbor slot race for rematch with Leap To Fame in Inter Dominion

Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo will not contest WA’s richest harness race after a disappointing performance in NZ.

Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo will have a break before the Brisbane Inter Dominion. Picture: Club Menangle/Pacepix

Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo is out of the $1.25m Group 1 Nullarbor to focus on a return stoush with Leap To Fame in the Brisbane Inter Dominion.

Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy confirmed Don Hugo would not take up the slot he has in WA’s richest race after a tough and tiring run when fourth to Leap To Fame in last Friday night’s $NZ1m Race by betcha at Cambridge.

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“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 it 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.

* Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp

Originally published as Harness racing: Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo bypasses Nullarbor slot race for rematch with Leap To Fame in Inter Dominion