Victory in Sunday afternoon’s Group 3 National Straight Track Championship final (366m) at Capalaba in Queensland will provide trainer Des Douch and owner Ken McKay with an unexpected $25,000 Christmas bonus.

Ha Ha Magoo (Box 3), trained by Maffra-based Douch, is one of two Victorian representatives in the National Grand Final, being joined by three-time country cups finalist Dream Wizard (Box 6), prepared by Sean and Melanie Lithgow.

Dream Wizard edged out Ha Ha Magoo in a thrilling finish to the Victorian Straight Track Championship (350m) at Healesville on December 5, with the pair to tackle rivals from Queensland, NSW and South Australia for the national crown.

“We’re going up there on their home ground, on the grass, on the drag (lure) but if he runs up to his best he’ll be very competitive.”

“To be honest, I thought it was just a heat and final at Healesville and then I realised the final was at Capalaba,” Des Douch admitted.

“But it doesn’t matter, it’ll be a good experience and we’ll see what happens on Sunday.”

Ha Ha Magoo, is a well-bred son of Cosmic Rumble and Ruby Ha Ha, making him a younger full-brother to former star female Neo Cleo, dual G 1winner of the 2018 Sale Cup and 2019 Sapphire Crown.

Winner of 10 from 38, including two wins from five visits to Healesville, Ha Ha Magoo has been in Queensland preparing for his first appearance at Group level event and Douch’s confidence received a timely boost with an impressive trial on Wednesday.

WATCH: Dream Wizard (2) edged out Ha Ha Magoo (5) in a thrilling drive to the line in the Victorian Straight Track Championship at Healesville on November 28. (Audio unavailable)

“I sent the dog up to Ned Snow (Queensland trainer) Friday week ago to help him get settled and I’m going up with his owner, Ken McKay, on Saturday,” Douch said.

“His first couple of trials at Capalaba were very ordinary but Ned told me he went good on Wednesday, so I said ‘we’ll see you on Saturday!

“He’s won over 500m in town and I’d say 450m is his best distance – he has really good mid-pace – but he goes well up the straight.

“He’s had five runs at Healesville and hasn’t missed a place. He ran a good race in the Victorian final and was only beaten a head.

“He can win on Sunday but he’s got a few things against him. We’re going up there on their home ground, on the grass, on the drag (lure) but if he runs up to his best he’ll be very competitive.”

G3 NATIONAL STRAIGHT TRACK CHAMPIONSHIP (366m)
Capalaba, Sunday, Race 8, 3.32PM – First prize $25,000
1 DECK FIFTY TWO (Darren Russell, Innisplain QLD)
2 OLSEN STREET (Michelle Lill, Greta NSW)
3 HA HA MAGOO (Des Douch, Maffra VIC)
4 HE’S ALL PURPOSE (Tim Richards, Meningie SA)
5 FIBRILLATION (Kayla-Jane Coleman, The Oaks NSW)
6 DREAM WIZARD (Melanie Lithgow, Devon Meadows VIC)
7 IMPACT (Kevin Ellis, Burpengary QLD)
8 MY NAME’S CRAIG (Ben Rawlings, Lewiston SA)
Reserves
9 POINT TO POINT (Darren Russell, Innisplain QLD)
10 BORN TO RUN (Clint Kratzmann, Warner QLD)

The drag lure won’t be any concern to the Big V’s other contender Dream Wizard, an experienced and exceptional coursing campaigner.

If either Ha Ha Magoo or Dream Wizard is victorious on Sunday, Victoria will hold a perfect two from two record since the National Straight Track series was introduced in 2019.

Peter Galo, trained by Garry Selkrig, won the inaugural National Grand Final at Healesville, with COVID preventing the race being held in 2020.

Three-time country cups finalist Dream Wizard (2) won the Victorian Straight Track Championship at Healesville on December