McHugh confidence is high with Valtino

Optimistic that he’s on the cusp of a memorable moment, passionate owner John McHugh has put his chips in for more good times at the trots.

The life-long harness racing devotee snapped up an impressive trotting filly at the Nutrien Equine Melbourne standardbred sale last Sunday, just six days before both her half-brother, Valtino (Love You), and McHugh’s already flying filly, Maoris Mac, chase rich success at Melton.

“I’ve got my fingers crossed (for tomorrow),” McHugh said. “I’ve been looking forward to this (Nutrien Equine final) for about three months.”

The apple of his eye is Maoris Mac, who he purchased at the 2022 Melbourne Nutrien Equine standardbred sale for $27,500.

She returned almost $45,000 in stakes in her two-year-old season, in addition to the $7000 Vicbred first-win bonus, and is looking to add to that tomorrow night when she steps out from gate eight in the three-year-old fillies trotting final.

“Maoris Mac has been fantastic,” he said. “She came second as a two-year-old (in the Nutrien final), was in every Group 1 last season and was always thereabouts and a bit stiff not to win a big race.

“She needed the (heat) run at Bendigo (when finishing second) and she hasn’t broken in her races at all – she trots all the way.”

Tomorrow night she races for McHugh and trainer-driver Josh Aiken, who was by the owner’s side at Sunday’s sale when he stumped up for lot 189, a yearling filly by Bold Eagle out of Aspiring Eva.

“With Josh I went and looked at quite a few and she came in the top five and I was lucky enough to buy her,” he said.

“We liked the way she looked, we thought her action was pretty good and you look at the breeding – she’s a really nice filly.”

That breeding could well be validated tomorrow, with the yearling a half-sister to Valtino, who chases his seventh career win in the three-year-old trotting boys final.

“I’m going to have a look at him,” McHugh said. “He’s done a good job so far and if he wins that’s only better for her lines.”

His purchase was one of 126 lots sold at the sale for an average of $32,496, which Nutrien Equine standardbred manager Mark Barton said was a “pleasing result” with the sale “well supported”.

“We’re now looking forward to the finals of our third race series at Melton (tomorrow) and to seeing this year’s sales graduates appearing on the tracks next season,” Barton said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Howard, for Harness Racing Victoria