Don Hugo after winning his ID24 heat at Club Menangle. Photo by Brett Atkins.
HE may have been the best performed pacer in the three heats but Goulburn pacer Captains Knock will need some luck after drawing gate 9, the inside of the second row, for next weekend’s $500,000 TAB Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final.
On the other hand, champion horseman Luke McCarthy left Menangle with a huge smile on his face after his TAB Eureka winner Don Hugo came up with the perfect draw in gate three.
Don Hugo could scarcely have been more impressive tonight at Menangle winning the first of the round three heats.
He worked hard to find the front then raced away to score an emphatic win.
Captains Knock was also impressive but his trainer-driver Brad Hewitt will be tossing and turning about all the likely scenarios after his stable star drew the awkward gate nine, behind one of the series surprise finalists Jilliby Nitro, who drew gate one.
The final draw for next week’s $500,000 finale is:
1. Jilliby Nitro
2. Dangerous
3. Don Hugo
4. My Moonlite Dream
5. Curly James
6. Terry
7. Jimartee
8. Nerano
9. Captains Knock
10. Max Delight
11. Minstrel
12. Petes Said So.