BY MICHAEL COURT
TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo gave the king of Menangle, champion horseman Luke McCarthy the win he has chased for most of his career – a TAB Inter Dominion Championship.
Beaten into fifth place in the first round of heats, Don Hugo improved every time he faced the starter after that first-round defeat.
He won the next two heats and then dominated tonight’s $500,000 final with a masterful display to beat West Australian Minstrel and the plucky Max Delight.
And the four-year-old became a superstar when he obliterated the track record by a second, scoring in a 1:50.4 mile rate over the 2300m.
“This is a win I’ve always had on the bucket list – and I’ve been trying for a while,” grinned McCarthy as he brought Don Hugo back to the roars of the big crowd.
“To win an Inter Dominion really is a dream come true.
“I sat back to see what was going on early and at that stage I was happy enough to settle in the one-one.
“But I also knew Deni (Roberts) would be coming with Minstrel.
“And it all just worked out perfectly.
“Turning for home I was just hoping we had enough gas in the tank to hold off Minstrel, as he is such a seasoned horse and I knew he’d fight on.
“This horse just keeps getting better and I really think there are a few more good seasons left in him.”
Owner Tony Licastro agreed: “I really don’t think we’ve seen the best of this horse yet,” he said.
“There’s no telling how good he could turn out to be.”
Earlier in the night, Victorian owned four-year-old stallion The Locomotive scored a stunning nine-metre win in the $150,000 TAB Inter Dominion Trotting Championships.
The handsome son of Muscle Mass out of former champion mare La Coocaracha, worked a little to find the front but turned the Grand Final for the square-gaiters into a ‘Locomotive Express’.
Turning for home his trainer-driver Brad Hewitt released the brakes and The Locomotive took off, and really gave nothing else a chance as he steamrolled his rivals, scoring in a 1:55.3 mile rate, breaking his own Australian record of 1:55.4 set five weeks ago. The plucky Keayang Chucky finished second, with outsider Keayang Stuka a further 5.5m back in third place.
It was Hewitt’s first Inter Dominion win and the Goulburn horseman suggested half of the town were there to cheer him home.
“You don’t get a much easier drive in a big race than that,” said Hewitt.
“He’s just been doing a super job since they sent him up to me from Victoria.
“Honestly, you couldn’t have a nicer horse . . . he’s such a cool dude.
“He has a great personality – and he just loves winning.
“Winning a race like this is the pinnacle for me.
“If you had asked me a few years ago if I would be winning a trotting Inter Dominion, I would have laughed at you . . . seriously.
“I have had so much support from family and friends and all those long hours that you put in are worth it when you win a race like this.
“Nights like this make it worthwhile.”
The night ended on another high with a live performance from Sarah McLeod, the iconic front woman of The Super Jesus.
The big crowd was also kept happy all night with the Aussie Night Markets featuring carnival rides, local stalls, food and drinks.
