Don Hugo’s redemption to win Inter Dom heat

Eureka winner Don Hugo (Art Major) showed that his Newcastle run when finishing down the track was all wrong when he brilliantly made amends to lead all the way in his Second round Heat 5 of the Inter Dominion Pacing Championships at Bathurst last night.

The race was virtually won at the start when harness racing driver Luke McCarthy hunted for the lead and unlike Newcastle when he also led and was collared in the straight to finish 5th showed no signs of stopping and sprinted away to score a most convincing win. In doing so he races back into contention for the Inter Dominion Final at Menangle Park on Saturday week.

At the end Don Hugo had over just over 9 metres to spare over District Attorney who ran a much improved second while rank outsider Unfazed was storming home for third placing. 

Favourite Max Delight didn’t have the best of luck as after going up to race outside the leader he was shuffled back at a crucial stage and he wasn’t disgraced in finishing fourth. But there’s no doubting the dominance of Don Hugo and he only needs to reproduce that form to be hard to beat in the Final. 

Chris Alford on Cantfindabettorman made a lightning sprint from the back with a lap left to travel but he could not sustain the effort and he finished 7th behind Mach Dan.

DON HUGO REPLAY

Although Don Hugo’s mile rate was nearly a second slower than Nerano he appeared to have plenty in hand and he can improve. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink