Don Hugo is dominant

Star pacer Don Hugo (Art Major) sharpened up for defence of his Miracle Mile crown with an effortless harness racing display to win the Ultra Air Free For All at Menangle on Saturday evening.

A runner up at his last two starts to Swayzee and Himanameisjeff Don Hugo was expected to make amends and the only other runner given any chance was Horn Player.

DON HUGO FEB 28 REPLAY

From the mobile despatch, Don Hugo wasn’t the quickest out and driver Luke McCarthy led him find his stride in fourth place and then he made his run when the field settled down. Without any effort he strode to the front and he looked totally at ease while in the lead. What was especially impressive was the way he was hardly out of second gear as he strode to a final quarter of 26.9 seconds.

At the finish Don Hugo had just under four metres to spare over Kingmaker who chased home the winner with outsider Craftsmans Charlie showing surprising resilience to hold on for third placing. The mile rate was a comfortable 1.53.7.

Luke McCarthy was satisfied after Don Hugo’s success.

That was just a nice hit out for him leading him into the Miracle Mile heats next week. So we’re really happy with him, he pulled up fantastic. So we’re looking forward to next week.

I spoke with Tony (Licastro the owner) and he was happy to stick at Menangle and go the same way. We did talk about Newcastle briefly but he loves Menangle. We’d stick to that same path and hopefully he can do the trick. It’ll just be a standard week for him in training. He looked like he pulled up really good down there. So we’ll just tick him over until next Saturday.

Patrons were given a treat earlier on the card when unbeaten three year old Hollywood Strip (Sweet Lou) soundly run his rivals off their legs in the Perfect Sting Standing at Cobbity Farm Pace. Having his first start against older opposition Hollywood Strip showing his customary early pace charged to the lead and driver Brad Hewitt was able to give his star colt a breather after running his first quarter in 27.1 seconds.

Hollywood Strip is being set for the Group 1 $200,000 New South Wales Derby at Menangle in a fortnight and he is guaranteed a run in the coveted classic. He’s likely to start favourite irrespective of the draw on the strength of his brilliant early speed.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink