Nullarbor given a boost almost four months out as Don Hugo is confirmed for slot in WA’s richest harness race

One of Australasia’s best horses has already sewn up a slot for WA’s richest harness race almost four months from the event. Don Hugo, a Group 1 megastar who has already collected the biggest trophies in pacing by winning the Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile, will contest the $1.25 million Nullarbor (2536m) at Gloucester Park on April 17. With connections signing a deal with slotholder Ladbrokes, it makes him the first runner locked away for the Group 1 feature. Trainer-reinsman Luke McCarthy has already gone close to stealing a Nullarbor having driven the Greg and Skye Bond-trained Gee Heza Sport to a runner-up finish in this year’s race. “It’s awesome to lock this in so early,” McCarthy said. “As a trainer, knowing it’s a done deal allows us to build everything around it, rather than having to worry about it close to the race. “I love getting over to Perth when I’ve got the right horse and Don Hugo is certainly that. It looks a great race for him. “The Nullarbor has become one of the most sought-after races on the calendar in just a few years and it’ll be fantastic to have a horse in it, who I believe will be as hard to beat as any.” Only two weeks ago, Don Hugo equalled the Albion Park track record by beating the biggest name in southern hemisphere harness racing, Leap To Fame. The entire showed that he’s at the top of his game with a near personal best run of 1:48.8 at Menangle on Saturday night, pulverising his opposition after taking a mid-race lead. “Luke and I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Don Hugo yet, either,” owner Tony Licastro said. “He really just had this past year racing in the big league and achieved so much. We think his next year could be his best. “Leap To Fame is as good a horse as I’ve seen and just to race him is a privilege… to beat him twice is amazing.” Licastro had initially intended for the five-year-old to tackle this year’s Nullarbor having leased a slot under his Kingstead Lodge banner. While replacement Gee Heza Sport proved a worthy substitute, Licastro is back with renewed hunger and a single-minded approach, upbeat he has the right horse for the job. “We planned to do the slot race in NZ and come back to the Nullarbor, but he got sick after the NZ race and that changed everything,” he said. “This time it’s all about Perth. That’s our target. “Now we can sit down and work out a program between now and the Nullarbor. I know Luke thinks defending his Miracle Mile crown is top of the list because it’s such a suitable race for the horse.” Rated an $8.50 shot by TABtouch, he is expected to tighten considerably after his confirmation.