Latest news with #DonHugo
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 Inter Dominion final: Leap To Fame is ‘different gravy', Don Hugo's trainer-driver Luke McCarthy concedes
Champion driver Luke McCarthy concedes he will 'almost certainly' be handing over the Inter Dominion pacing crown on Saturday night. McCarthy's stable star Don Hugo won the Inter Dominion final at Menangle last December when Leap To Fame was sidelined with illness, but the champ is back and looks close to a good thing in tonight's $1 million final at Albion Park. 'He's different gravy. He's the best stayer I've seen, probably the best horse (pacer) I've seen full stop in this part of the world,' McCarthy said. 'You've got to be realistic and say, bar for something unexpected, Leap To Fame will be too good, especially over this (marathon) distance (3157m). It's made for him and he's going better than ever. 'We beat him for speed in the Miracle Mile, but this is twice as far and the further they go, the better it suits him.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame took a 3-1 advantage over Don Hugo when he won their qualifying heat last Saturday night. Don Hugo endured a torrid run and tired to finish seventh. 'It was just an ugly race and he ended up having a gut-buster, but, to his credit, he's come through it better than I could've expected,' McCarthy said. 'I'm so happy, I'm going there with a positive mindset, at least as far as knowing I have the second best horse in the race. 'I'll drive him positively, too. I'll go forward and put him right into the race from the wide draw (gate six). 'He's a lovely horse my guy, really good, but he's just run into the greatest of all time. There's still some great money for running second.' ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Pacers Heat 5 ðŸ�† “HE’S PLAYING CHESS, THE OTHERS ARE PLAYING CHECKERS!â€� LEAP TO FAME blitzes them. Bring on Grand Final Night! ðŸ'� 🤩 #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 • Don Hugo is part of big night for the NSW-based McCarthy, who spent his teenage years growing up in Queensland. 'We've had a really good six weeks or so here and we've got the draws to bring it home strongly on final night,' he said. Eye Keep Smiling, defending champion in the Group 1 Golden Girl, and the brilliant Hesitate, who has a pole draw in the Group 1 Queensland Derby are his other star players. EYE KEEP SMILING takes the @GarrardsHnH The Golden Girl! ðŸ�† Trainer-driver @lukeamccarthy puts together a ðŸ�' drive, trailing the speed and peeling at the top of the lane to come away with the Group 1 feature! @SuccessStud @HRNSW_Harness @TheCreekAlbion @CobbittyEquine … — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 20, 2024 • Eye Keep Smiling (gate two) is going for her 10th successive win and, importantly, has drawn inside main danger, Steno (four). 'She's faster out than you've seen lately and I think she's a big chance to hold the lead,' McCarthy said. 'The draw is great with Hesitate. It gives me options. He's fast enough to lead and the way went in front last time gives me confidence. 'Don't forget my other Derby runner, too. Mac Bon's not as brilliant as some of the big names, but he's strong and the 2680m will really suit him.'
News.com.au
06-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Pacing guns Leap To Fame, Don Hugo clash in second rounds of 2025 Inter Dominion heats
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 is 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. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 2 ðŸ�† The defending Inter Dominion champ stalks the lead, peels at the turn and scores well! A class performance & drive from Luke McCarthy! ðŸ'� @ladbrokescomau @CobbittyEquine @HRNSW_Harness @TheCreekAlbion #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025 '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 were 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.' ðŸ�† ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 3 ðŸ�† Just a little flex from the champion LEAP TO FAME in the third heat! Gee, Larry just made that look easy tonight ðŸ'¥ 😳 @TheCreekAlbion @ladbrokescomau #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025 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).
Herald Sun
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
2025 Inter Dominion: Leap To Fame, Don Hugo get tricky draws
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The barrier draws have added huge intrigue around headline acts Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the opening round of Ladbrokes Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on Saturday night. While the pair dominate prepost betting for the $1 million pacing final on July 19, they will have to overcome tricky draws to open the series with wins. Defending champion Don Hugo will be first to step out in heat two and starts from three-out on the back row in gate 10. As good as Luke McCarthy's stable star has been winning both runs this campaign, it won't be easy from that draw over the shortish 2138m trip around Albion Park. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame's uncanny knack of drawing barrier one or inside the back row (in this case gate eight) continued on Saturday night. The champion stayer is classes better than his rivals and, as good as his trainer-driver Grant Dixon is at escaping tricky spots, there is always some luck involved. If there's an upset, the emerging Mossdale Terry (gate one), talented Kiwi Pinseeker (three), old marvel Max Delight (seven) and exciting local Wisper A Secret would be most likely to deliver it. Despite their awkward opening night draws, Leap To Fame and Don Hugo still completely stifle betting for the final at $1.30 and $3.50 respectively. The first of the three pacing heats is headlined by the strange clash of three sets of stablemates. Jess Tubbs' only two pacing runners – Better Eclipse (gate one) and Rakero Rebel (two) – are joined by Shannon Price's pair Sure Thing Captain (four) and Speak The Truth (five). Two of Victorian trainer Andy Gath's three pacing series runners, Tango Tara (eight) and Catch A Wave (11) – also clash. The trotting series is a lot more and Saturday night's two heats should give some content to whether the Kiwis or the Aussies have an edge. Brilliant Kiwi veteran Oscar Bonavena will be suited from a back row draw (gate nine) in the first trotting heat (race five), where enigmatic Aussie pair London To A Brick (gate three) and Gus (12) are the other key runners. Young Kiwi star Bet N Win has drawn ideally in the pole to make an early statement in heat two, especially with Australia's leading hope, Arcee Phoenix, drawn right outside the front row (seven). Drama and suspense surrounds Saturday night's other Albion Park feature, the $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun. One-time favourite Bay Of Biscay was to fly from Melbourne to Brisbane today (Tuesday), but his hopes now hinge on a possible flight Friday. Bay Of Biscay and stablemate War Dan Buddy are on standby if the Friday flight is confirmed, but sources say there is only a 'very remote' chance it will. If it doesn't, they will be scratched. This fifth running of the Rising Sun has a record four-year-olds engaged and they all draw well under the preferential conditions in the race restricted to three and four-year-olds. Path To Greatness has gate one, Hesitate (two), Rubira (three) and Fate Awaits will start from inside the back row (eight). • Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. Originally published as 2025 Inter Dominion: Star pacers Don Hugo, Leap To Fame dealt tricky draws for opening round of heats
News.com.au
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
2025 Inter Dominion: Star pacers Don Hugo, Leap To Fame dealt tricky draws for opening round of heats
The barrier draws have added huge intrigue around headline acts Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the opening round of Ladbrokes Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on Saturday night. While the pair dominate prepost betting for the $1 million pacing final on July 19, they will have to overcome tricky draws to open the series with wins. Defending champion Don Hugo will be first to step out in heat two and starts from three-out on the back row in gate 10. As good as Luke McCarthy's stable star has been winning both runs this campaign, it won't be easy from that draw over the shortish 2138m trip around Albion Park. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame's uncanny knack of drawing barrier one or inside the back row (in this case gate eight) continued on Saturday night. The champion stayer is classes better than his rivals and, as good as his trainer-driver Grant Dixon is at escaping tricky spots, there is always some luck involved. If there's an upset, the emerging Mossdale Terry (gate one), talented Kiwi Pinseeker (three), old marvel Max Delight (seven) and exciting local Wisper A Secret would be most likely to deliver it. Despite their awkward opening night draws, Leap To Fame and Don Hugo still completely stifle betting for the final at $1.30 and $3.50 respectively. Night 1 heats of #ID25 for pacers are in. With just two rounds in this year’s Series. Points and position will be at a premium. #QldConstellations — The Creek (@TheCreekAlbion) June 30, 2025 The first of the three pacing heats is headlined by the strange clash of three sets of stablemates. Jess Tubbs' only two pacing runners – Better Eclipse (gate one) and Rakero Rebel (two) – are joined by Shannon Price's pair Sure Thing Captain (four) and Speak The Truth (five). Two of Victorian trainer Andy Gath's three pacing series runners, Tango Tara (eight) and Catch A Wave (11) – also clash. The trotting series is a lot more and Saturday night's two heats should give some content to whether the Kiwis or the Aussies have an edge. Brilliant Kiwi veteran Oscar Bonavena will be suited from a back row draw (gate nine) in the first trotting heat (race five), where enigmatic Aussie pair London To A Brick (gate three) and Gus (12) are the other key runners. Young Kiwi star Bet N Win has drawn ideally in the pole to make an early statement in heat two, especially with Australia's leading hope, Arcee Phoenix, drawn right outside the front row (seven). Drama and suspense surrounds Saturday night's other Albion Park feature, the $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun. One-time favourite Bay Of Biscay was to fly from Melbourne to Brisbane today (Tuesday), but his hopes now hinge on a possible flight Friday. Bay Of Biscay representative Tim Bunning “If the plane comes good, we will be here.â€� “He’s fine, he will do his final fast work on Wednesday and then be ready to head up.â€� Horse to beat? “I have a big wrap for that horse The Janitorâ€� — The Creek (@TheCreekAlbion) June 30, 2025 Bay Of Biscay and stablemate War Dan Buddy are on standby if the Friday flight is confirmed, but sources say there is only a 'very remote' chance it will. If it doesn't, they will be scratched. This fifth running of the Rising Sun has a record four-year-olds engaged and they all draw well under the preferential conditions in the race restricted to three and four-year-olds. Path To Greatness has gate one, Hesitate (two), Rubira (three) and Fate Awaits will start from inside the back row (eight).
Daily Telegraph
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
McCarthy's quest for Queensland riches begins
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Champion NSW trainer Luke McCarthy launches a huge month chasing the Queensland winter riches at Albion Park tomorrow (Saturday) night. While defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo will be his star act, McCarthy's team of raiders oozes star power with a range of feature race targets. We won't see Don Hugo until the opening round of Inter Dominion heats on July 5, but McCarthy has five runners tomorrow night, headed by Australia's best mare Eye Keep Smiling, exciting three-year-old Hesitate and Inter Dominion trotting hopeful Constantinople. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Additionally, McCarthy, who spent much of his formative years in Queensland, is also caretaker trainer and driver for Mick Stanley's Queensland Oaks hopeful, Soho Americano, who steps out tomorrow night. 'I love getting back up to Queensland, especially this time of year,' McCarthy said. 'This Carnival has grown and grown and now adding the Inter Dominion has taken it to another level. I've got a really good team of horses at the right time to give it a real crack this year.' Don Hugo capped his Inter Dominion preparation when he made it two-from-two this campaign and thrashed his rivals at Menangle last Saturday night. 'He's ready now. I want him fresh going into the series, so I'll give him three weeks between runs going into the first round of heats,' McCarthy said. 'I couldn't be happier with my horse and if anyone can beat Leap To Fame, I think it's my guy.' Eye Keep Smiling is a hot favourite to post her eighth successive win and her 25th win from 36 starts in the Garrards Horse & Hound Mares' Open Pace tomorrow night. Her main target is a successful title defence in the $150,000 Group 1 Golden Girl at Albion Park on July 19. McCarthy also has former Group 1-winning mare Coastal Babe aiming for the Golden Girl. If Hesitate beats older rivals in the eighth race at Albion Park on tomorrow night, it will open the door for a tilt at the $350,000 Group 1 Rising Sun on July 5 as well as the $150,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby on July 19. 'I was chasing my tail with him last campaign, but he's come back really well after a break and I'm sure he'll be a factor in those big races. He's got so much speed,' McCarthy said. 'Mac Bon is another I'll have up here for the Redcliffe and Queensland Derbys. 'Constantinople won the consolation (of the Inter Dominion trotting series) in Brisbane two years ago and is back in form at the right time, while a horse like Beach Ball, who runs this week, will be competitive through the heats (Inter Dominion pacing) as well.' * Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp Originally published as NSW trainer Luke McCarthy brings an elite team to Albion Park in pursuit of Queensland glory
