Quest to regain title begins

Winner of the 2024 edition of the time-honoured series at Club Menangle, Don Hugo finished fourth behind superstar pacer Leap To Fame during his defence at Albion Park last season.

Leap To Fame won the 2023 Albion Park-based Inter Dominion before missing the year in which Don Hugo claimed the crown.

As for his latest Inter Dominion preparation, Don Hugo will be first-up from a three-month break when he contests the J D Watts Free-For-All at Club Menangle.

Don Hugo hasn’t raced since finishing third behind Leap To Fame and The Janitor in the Miracle Mile at the world class venue on March 14.

The Luke McCarthy-trained son of Art Major was scheduled to contest The Nullarbor at Gloucester Park a month later, but missed the West Australian trip after suffering a bout of colic.

“He got quite sick there for a few days,” McCarthy said. “Thankfully he has come through it fine and feels as good as ever.

“It was disappointing to miss The Nullarbor, but that’s how it is with horses. He has come through the sickness well, which is the main thing.”

To be driven by McCarthy in the 1609-metre Listed Classic, Don Hugo faces an arduous task from barrier five.

Not only is the gelding “in need of the run”, his opposition includes rampaging mare Captains Mistress.

A revelation since joining Jason Grimson’s stable last January, the daughter of Captaintreacherous has established herself as the nation’s premier mare with eight wins from nine starts.

Captains Mistress’ victories include the Queen Elizabeth II Mile, Chariots Of Fire and Queen of the Pacific – all Group Ones.

Along with race fitness in her favour, Captains Mistress has drawn to lead throughout from the pole.

Don Hugo enters the race following a 1:53.2 trial win at Club Menangle a fortnight ago.

Captains Mistress is a prohibitive $1.15 TAB Fixed Odds favourite, with Don Hugo on the second line of betting at $6.

“He is in need of the run, but he is fit and healthy,” McCarthy said. “Whether he can win will be a matter of how the race is run.

“Captains Mistress she is low flying, and if she leads and goes 1:49, she will be nearly unbeatable.

“Whatever he does on Saturday night he will improve on and I will give him at least one more start before we head to Queensland for the Inter.”

Also bound for Queensland, Captains Mistress will take a different path to Inter Dominion glory.

Rather than contest the heats – which begin on July 4 – Captains Mistress will tackle the $300,000 Rising Sun on the same night.

The Rising Sun winner will earn a ‘golden ticket’ into the Inter Dominion Final on July 18.

McCarthy also has Queensland aspirations with exciting colt The Niteshift, which will tackle a three-year-old event on tonight’s card.

Undefeated from three starts, The Niteshift is the widest drawn in the field of 10 over a mile.

“He’s a pretty nice type,” McCarthy said. “He’s only had a few starts, but gives the impression he can go on to bigger things.

“I gave him a break after his win in April with the Queensland Derby in mind and he has worked up nicely.

“Like Hugo, he will benefit from the run, but I’m happy with where he is at an expect him to be hard to beat.”