Draw puts pep in trainer's step

A PERFECT draw has put some pep in ace horseman Luke McCarthy's step ahead of Friday night's opening round of Inter Dominion heats in Newcastle.

McCarthy has a runner in the Pacers' and Trotters' Championships, with Don Hugo receiving an ideal gate in the second pacers' qualifier.

Kept fresh since his $2.1million The Eureka triumph at Club Menangle on September 7, the four-year-old will begin from the pole over 2030 metres.

McCarthy primed Don Hugo for the task ahead with a pair of trials, which he won in Goulburn and Menangle.

"He is feeling terrific and ready to go," McCarthy said. "The time off did him the world of good and he is right where I want him to be going into such a gruelling series.

"I'm very happy with the draw as it gives me plenty of options from there and gives him a top chance of figuring in the finish, and more importantly, earning good points straight-up."

Also first-up from a spell, Constantinople will find it tough from the outside of the back row in the second trotters' heat.

Later on the card McCarthy will be represented by exciting two-year-old Mac Bon in the Eastern Region Final.

A last-start winner of the Breeders' Crown in Melton a fortnight ago, Mac Bon has also drawn the pole.

"He has progressed really well as the season has gone on and he will also be very hard to beat," McCarthy said.