McCarthy claims fourth Miracle Mile win in six years

By Adam Hamilton 

Some Luke McCarthy genius snapped almost two years of major race dominance by Leap To Fame and Swayzee.

While Don Hugo had won an Inter Dominion and TAB Eureka, he was yet to beat home Leap To Fame or Swayzee.

Last night he did both by winning an epic $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle.

McCarthy’s tactically brilliant drive simply matched the masterful work he has done transformed Don Hugo from a bit player to a star.

Mindful Swayzee was drawn on his inside, McCarthy happily let emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod blast across the field and lead.

Within a few strides, McCarthy was on the move around to take the lead, knowing Leap To Fame would quickly be around to sit outside him.

“There was no handing up tonight,” he said. “He went super the week before after doing all the work and then he drew a great barrier.

“I just felt over the mile, this was time to step up and take the challenge.”

And Don Hugo delivered.

While Leap To Fame kept coming, Don Hugo had all the answers and held-on to win by 1.3m in a slick 1min48.4sec mile.

Leap To Fame was ever brave in second, while Tact McLeod continued his fantastic step into the big league with a fighting third after the early burn.

Dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee was the hard luck story, flashing home for a close fourth after struggling for racing room in the home straight.

The other Kiwi in the race, Sooner The Bettor, finished a sound sixth, just 8.8m from the winner.

But this was Luke McCarthy’s night as he became the first driver to win four Miracle Miles.

They’ve all come in the past six years with King Of Swing winning the other three (2020, ’21 and ’22).

It capped a staggering seven months for Don Hugo, who won the TAB Eureka last September, Inter Dominion final in December and now the Miracle Mile.

Next stop is the $1.25m Nullarbor in Perth late next month where Don Hugo’s owner Tony Licastro has a slot.

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Star Kiwi pacer Don't Stop Dreaming gained some consolation for not qualifying for the Miracle Mile with a terrific win in last night’s $100,000 Group 2 Light Horse free-for-all (2300m).

Driven off the pace by Kate Gath, the five-year-old made a long sweeping run out three, four and five wide over the last 600m and won impressively in a slick 1min52.9sec mile rate.

It capped a strong Aussie campaign which included a second to Leap To Fame in the Cranbourne Cup and a Terang Cup win.

The result wasn’t as good for Don't Stop Dreaming’s stablemate Oscar Bonavena, who galloped out from the pole as favourite in the $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead Trotters’ Mile and lost all chance.

Classy Victorian trotter Keayang Chucky ran to the front and won impressively in a 1min51.9sec mile, just 0.4sec outside the Australasian record.

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Recent  Kiwi export Showmethetanlines made quite a splash winning his first Aussie run at Menangle last night.

The son of Downbytheseaside, who won his only NZ run at Addington on January 31, was recently bought by clients of Victorian trainer Adam Kelly.

Showmethetanlines, driven by Kate Gath, worked to the front and dashed clear to win the $50,000 Sapling Stakes by 6.6m in a brisk 1min52.2sec mile.

“He always felt in control and as good as he is now, he’s the sort of horse who gives you the impression he’ll be better again at three,” Gath said.

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Boom Victorian Always Hot stretched his unbeaten record to eight races when he thrashed his rivals in the $200,000 NSW Derby.

Dubbed “our next Ride High” by trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, Always Hot worked around to the lead from a wide draw and won as he liked 1mine53.9sec mile rate for the long 2400m trip.