Don Hugo’s perfect record in winning Miracle Mile

Five year old Don Hugo (Art Major) completed a treble of sorts when he led for most of the trip to win a thrilling harness racing win In the $1 million Group 1 Garrards Miracle Mile at Menangle Park last night.

Coming off the back of winning the Eureka in September and then the Inter Dominion Final in December Don Hugo had a prime draw of barrier 2 while favourite Leap to Fame who was attempting back to back Miracle Miles had to come from barrier 7.

DON HUGO MAR 8 REPLAY MIRACLE MILE

As expected Swayzee wasn’t able to hold the lead when Tact Macleod showing his customary brilliant speed crossed over to the front. It was then that Luke McCarthy seized the initiative and took Don Hugo to the front. This meant that Swayzee was pocketed three back on the rails. In the meantime Leap to Fame was caught wide and driver Grant Dixon pressed on the sit outside the leader.

Don Hugo had a breather in the second quarter of 28.5 seconds and this allowed him to run faster final quarters of 27.9 and 26.3 seconds. This gave him the momentum to move ahead of Leap to Fame but the Queenslander showing his usual high qualities refused to give in and he was still making up ground on the line to lose by just over a metre with Tact Macleod holding on for third. The overall mile rate was 1.48.4.

Luke McCarthy reflected on his record fourth Miracle Mile driving success.

“When the barrier draw came up I had so much confidence in the run. After last week when he ran 1.48.6 he ran super and I thought he would get there.”

“I had a lot of scenarios and I knew Tact Macleod would look for the lead. So I decided for him to step up and take up the challenge especially over the mile.”

“He’s such a fighter, even when Leap to Fame came at him, so he’s done an incredible job.” ” He just keeps going to another level. He’s good gaited, great to drive and he’s the whole package.”

“I’m thrilled for Tony and his family.”

Owner Tony Licastro was emotional after the event.

“I’m still in disbelief. I doubted our chances tonight against Leap to Fame and Swayzee. The draw helped us a lot. You have to give credit where it’s true. I love the horse to own a horse like this and win the Miracle Mile is like a dream come true.”

All honours were definitely with the winner but the beaten brigade were all very close. Leap to Fame still is a force to contend with after racing wide all of the way and Swayzee once he was three back on the rails was always going to need a lot of luck so finishing fourth he was right behind the placegetters.

This Miracle Mile has generated tremendous interest with the calibre of such good horses competing. It now seems that there are now the big three racing namely Leap to Fame, Swayzee and Don Hugo all likely to clash in the Inter Dominion in Brisbane in July.

Swayzee will now attempt to gather in an additional bonus of $250,000 if he wins the Renshaw Cup at Penrith next week. It’s also possible that Don Hugo may contest that event as owner Tony Licastro is a local and would like to add this to Don Hugo’s war chest.

However McCarthy indicated that Don Hugo may go over to the Nullabor at Gloucester Park in Perth in April where he would likely to clash again with Swayzee.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink