Only something unexpected can Leap To Fame’s (Gambler’s delight) first IRT NZ Cup harness racing foray.
The champion Queenslander has resurrected his on-again, off-again NZ with a dominant return to winning form last night in Melton.
Facing a third successive defeat for the first time in his stellar 73-start career, Leap To Fame delighted trainer-driver Grant Dixon with an easy win over Bulletproof Boy, the veteran who left him behind two starts ago.
He worked from the outside across the pitch to take the lead from Bulletproof Boy and never looked in danger. He cruised to a 9.4 meter victory in a smooth mile pace of 1:52.6 seconds for 2240 meters, just 1.5 seconds off the track record.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Dixon. “He felt sharper and did it with ease. He did what we expected of him.”
“If you take a line through Bulletproof Boy, who came a few lengths clear of him and beat him two runs back, this time he got on his back and we pulled away from him.
“I really got him going before the quarter (last 400 meters) so that nothing could get past him. He did well.”
Just as importantly, Leap To Fame came through with the win.
“That was the next step and he seems great this morning. He’s better this morning than he has been after the last few runs,” said Dixon.
“At this stage it’s full steam ahead (for NZ).”
Leap To Fame’s scheduled flight from Melbourne to Christchurch, via Auckland, has been postponed from November 5 to November 3.
Owner Kevin Seymour raised the possibility of racing the six-year-old again next Saturday night at Melton, but Dixon said that was unlikely.
“If the flight had been on Wednesday (November 5) we probably would have done it, but now that it’s Monday we don’t like racing it so close to a flight,” he said.
Dixon also ruled out a trial for Leap To Fame in New Zealand before the iconic $NZ1 million NZ Cup in Addington on November 11.
“I know the (NZ) Cup trial is six days after the race, but he won’t reach Christchurch until 24 hours before the trial and it’s too close to travel for him to get a hit like that,” he said.
“He’s got a good foundation now. He’s fit and that’s the kind of running we needed from him to continue the journey.”
“It’s a great race and a tough race over two miles (3200 metres). He had to show he’s at his best before we could go.”
This will be Leap To Fame’s first time at the NZ Cup, which his older half-brother, Swayzee, has won for the past two years.
His only trip to New Zealand delivered a career-best victory in the $NZ1mil Race by betcha in Cambridge on April 4.
It appears Swayzee will accompany Leap To Fame to the Cup, provided he pleases trainer Jason Grimson at a free-for-all in Menangle next Saturday night.
Rising star Kingman could give Australia a third Cup runner if he makes a good start from a standstill for the first time in a trial at Menangle on Wednesday.
“That’s what it comes down to. He’s never raced or tried from a position before. If he steps well, we’ll go to the other side,” said trainer-driver Luke McCarthy.
Through Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing New Zealand
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