Three defeats in his past five starts – all away from home – have raised questions about where Leap To Fame stands, but trainer-driver Grant Dixon said all signs were great at home after seven weeks of travel to Victoria and then Christchurch.
“He’s enjoying it as much as I am after such a long absence,” he said. ‘He is doing everything we ask for, eating well and bouncing around his garden.
“It’s the longest time he’s ever been away from home and I have no doubt he likes it here more than anywhere else.”
This is also reflected in the form of Leap To Fame. The rising seven-year-old has not been beaten at Albion Park for over two years.
He has made it 23 consecutive wins at Albion Park since an unlucky fourth-place finish in the Be Good Johnny Sprint on November 4, 2023.
Despite this, punters have been betting on the Luke McCarthy-trained Don Hugo to beat Leap To Fame for a second time in the Blacks A Fake. He upset the Miracle Mile champion at Menangle on March 8.
Don Hugo, drawn to find the lead from gate four, is up from $3.20 to $2.40, while Leap To Fame (gate 10, back row) is down from $1.50 to $2.40.
Most expect Don Hugo to take the lead, the role he had when he defeated Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile.
The difference with the Blacks A Fake is the much longer trek of 2680 meters, which contributes to Leap To Fame’s enduring prowess.
In nine Albion Park starts at 2600 meters or further, Leap To Fame has eight and suffered a puncture while coming second to Swayzee in the epic 2023 Group 1 Blacks A Fake in the other.
The normally reserved Dixon said he believed Leap To Fame could sit out this week and beat Don Hugo.
“If it works out like this, I think he can do it. The distance really suits him,” he said.
“From the draw it won’t be easy, especially if Don Hugo is in the lead as most expect, but it’s great to have a big race here at home.
“The caretaker is the other person I really respect. He raced well and went the extra mile every time. His run was fantastic in the Sunshine Sprint last week.”
“He is in the back row with me (gate 12) and I hope I can sit in front of him and get the chance to make the first move.”
Dixon admitted that Leap To Fame’s Blacks A Fake performance would go a long way in shaping his racing plans for early next year.
“Obviously the big races in Victoria are an option and they have that bonus ($1 million), but he’s had a busy time and we’ve put discussions on the next race on hold until we get this race out of the way,” he said.
There is growing expectation that Leap To Fame could retire to stud after chasing a third Inter Dominion crown in his own backyard at Albion Park in July.
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Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
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