CHAMPION pacer Leap To Fame’s (Gambler’s delight) The highly anticipated NZ Cup draft race is in limbo.
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon had serious doubts heading into the trip after the Leap To Fame was beaten into third place in the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton last Saturday evening.
It is only the first time in almost two years that Leap To Fame has lost twice in a row.
“He didn’t travel as well as he usually does in his races,” said Dixon. “He seems to have come through OK, but a blood test has been taken and we will see if that shows anything.
“If his blood values are OK, we will visit NZ at the end of this week. I will not leave it to the last few days, like last year.”
“I’d say it’s a real 50-50 whether he’ll go.”
Leap To Fame was $1.60 favorite to win the iconic $NZ1 million NZ Cup before the Victoria Cup.
The six-year-old was certainly not the last to be disgraced, but it was clear he was already under pressure well out and rising star Kingman quickly passed him on the home straight. He was beaten 6.7 meters.
It could be the second time in as many years that Leap To Fame’s NZ Cup raid has been scrapped.
He was a heavy favorite last year before a throat infection forced him out of both the Victoria and NZ Cups.
Dixon’s alternative is to skip NZ, return to his stables in Queensland and switch focus to the $250,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake in his own backyard at Albion Park on December 6.
There are also doubts over champion NSW stayer Swayzee’s quest for a record-equalling third consecutive NZ Cup.
His owner Mick Boots said Swayzee was battling an intestinal infection, but trainer Jason Grimson later said he believed the rising eight-year-old would make the trip.
Grimson plans to take Swayzee and last night’s brave Victoria Cup runner-up Hi Managirlff to New Zealand.
Injury-plagued Hi Managirlff will target Group 1 NZ free-for-all on November 14.
Swayzee gets the chance to show where he stands for free this Saturday evening at the Beersheba in Menangle.
Kingman, who left his older rivals behind for the biggest win of his career in Saturday night’s Victoria Cup, will also travel but to Queensland for the Blacks A Fake.
“Someone asked about the NZ Cup, but it’s coming a bit early this year,” said trainer-driver Luke McCarthy.
“I would like to take him to such a race, but next year will suit him better.
“I’ll put him in for the Blacks A Fake and then I’ll bring him back here (Victoria) to chase the big bonus they have at the country cups in January-February.”
The bonus is $A1 million for any horse that can win three of the first five Nations Cups and add the Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton on February 14.
Kingman’s win was his fifth in just seven starts since joining McCarthy’s stable.
It adds to McCarthy’s powerhouse run as reigning Miracle Mile champion Don Hugo nears return to racing.
“I’ll keep them apart for now. Don Hugo can watch the NSW Carnival of Cups races at home,” he said.
“It won’t be until the Hunter Cup or maybe even the Miracle Mile that they will collide.”
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
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