REIGNING Miracle Mile hero Don Hugo is set to become the headline act of the huge NSW Carnival of Cups.
Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy confirmed the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile winner would target the $1 million bonus on the five-leg series, starting at Wagga on November 14.
That’s why Don Hugo made a surprise trip to the Penrith trials last night (Tuesday).
“It was a chance to give him a run around a tighter track, knowing Penrith’s got a leg of the series,” McCarthy said.
“Tony (Licastro, owner) is really keen to tackle the Cups’ series and it fits him schedule after the break he had.”
Don Hugo, who famously beat Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile in March, hasn’t raced since finishing fourth to that pacer in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final on July 19.
“He’s had a good break and needed it. He was a tired horse after Brisbane. It was the end of a long campaign,” McCarthy said.
“I’m really pleased with how he’s come back and he’ll be back at the races at the start of November.
“He’ll have a race at Menangle and then we’ll head into the Cups’ circuit.”
After Wagga, Don Hugo will head to round two at Newcastle on December 5, then Bathurst on January 30. The last two legs are the smaller tracks, Albury (February 13) and Penrith (March 20.)
In a coup for the NSW Carnival of Cups, Don Hugo is the second confirmed former Miracle Mile winner to chase this year’s series.
Catch A Wave, an eight-time Group 1 winner and $2.3 million-earner, has also been set for it by top Victorian trainer Andy Gath.
Catch A Wave, a $6 shot from the pole in Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Cup, will head to Wagga for the opening leg of the series.
Another confirmed star chasing the bonus is last-start Group 1 Len Smith Mile runner-up Captains Knock.
The Brad Hewitt-trained pacer, part-owned by former NRL star Jarrod Croker, will tune-up for the series when he returns from a freshen-up at Menangle on Saturday night.
