Aussie megastar Just Believe victorious in Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint.

by Adam Hamilton

The biggest story of Australia’s best race meeting this year came the day before it.

Drama rocked Victoria Cup Night when champion pacer Leap To Fame was struck down with a virus on the eve of the $300,000 feature race, which forced his scratching.

Leap To Fame was the $1.20 favorite (for a $1 bet) to win the race and become just the second pacer to win Australia’s Grand Slam of the Victoria Cup, Inter Dominion, Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup. Former megastar Preux Chevalier won the four in 1984 and ’85.

Leviathan owner Kevin Seymour said he was “devastated” at missing the Victoria Cup, especially after Leap To Fame was beaten into third place in a thrilling finish as a hot favorite last year.

“We want him to go down as one of the all-time greats and this race [Victoria Cup] is one the great horses have won,” he said. “We can only hope we get another chance at it next year, now.”

Although the virus was only minor, Seymour didn’t hesitate to scratch after talking to trainer/driver Grant Dixon.

“No, he’s just too valuable to take any risk at all with and he’s still quite young,” Seymour said. “We’ve always done what’s right for the horse and will continue to do so.”

Dixon was more philosophical.

“Look, it’s very disappointing, especially after we’d brought him down by road [20-hour drive from Brisbane], but we’ve also got to remember we’ve been lucky with injury and his health so far and through so many big races,” Dixon said.

The setback looks set to have even bigger ramifications beyond the Victoria Cup.

Seymour conceded it was now “unlikely” Leap To Fame would travel to New Zealand for the iconic $1 million NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch next month.

“It’s not looking good,” he said. “It’s not a flat no, yet, but he’s not only missed the Victoria Cup but also a race we thought was crucial to his preparation for a grueling 3200-meter race like the NZ Cup. We’ll make the decision in the next week or so, but at this stage I’d say I am leaning strongly against it.

“He would have to recover really quickly and for us to have a good lead-up race or two as options. Even then, you wonder if he’s had the sort of preparation he needs. If he doesn’t go, he could stay home and prepare for his Inter Dominion defense.”

With Leap To Fame out, his older half-brother Swayzee became Victoria Cup favorite and didn’t let the family down.

Swayzee beat Leap To Fame in their first clash last year, but Leap To Fame had won all three stoushes since.

That said, Swayzee was sublime last night.

It was a powerhouse staying performance which rekindled memories of the Jason Grimson-trained star’s epic NZ Cup win last November.

Despite drawing the back row, working around the field in a quick lead time and then “warring” with leader and main danger Mach Dan to get the front, Swayzee just kept going.

“He’s amazing when he just gets out and rolling like that,” driver Cam Hart said. “He’s a beast.

“I knew he’d done plenty of work, but he’s done that before and kept going. On the home bend he still felt strong.”

Swayzee easily held-off stablemate Curly James to win by four meters in a sizzling 1:51.8 mile rate for 2240 meters, just 0.4 seconds outside the track record.

But Grimson doesn’t regret scrapping plans to take Swayzee back to Christchurch to defend his NZ Cup title.

“No, the trip and the race took a lot out of him,” he said. “We’ve got the [Carnival of] Cups at home [in New South Wales] and then the Inter Dominion for him.”

Swayzee won the first of five legs of the NSW Carnival of Cups at Parkes two weeks ago. If he wins all five legs, he lands a $1 million bonus.

One Aussie megastar who will be returning to NZ next month is champion trotter Just Believe.

The remarkable rising 9-year-old posted the ninth Group 1 win of his career when he scored narrowly but impressively in last night’s $75,000 Bill Collins Trotters’ Sprint (1720 meters) at Melton.

“I had a few moments of concern when Ollivici [the leader] gave a good kick on the home bend, but I knew Just Believe would keep finding, he always does,” driver Greg Sugars said. “It was a big effort to win, especially with five weeks between [races].

“That break was deliberate because we’ve got lots of big races and travel coming up for him over the next four months or so and we’re mindful he’s not getting any younger. We’re just trying to pick and choose things a little more. In saying that, Jess [Tubbs, trainer] and I think he’s as good or maybe even better at home than we’ve ever had him.”

The next major target is the $400,000 Group 1 Dominion Trot at Addington on Nov. 12.

Sugars and Tubbs enjoyed a stellar night with their classy former New Zealand mare Rakero Rebel also winning the $150,000 Group 1 Queen of the Pacific, one of Australia’s biggest mares-only features.

Joining Just Believe on a trip from Victoria to Christchurch next month will be the immensely exciting Keayang Zahara, the trotter many think is Just Believe’s heir apparent.

The Marg Lee-trained 3-year-old made it nine wins from as many starts and her fourth at Group 1 level when she blasted clear to win last night’s $75,000 Group 1 Victoria Trotters’ Oaks by 18 meters without being extended by driver Jason Lee.

Keayang Zahara’s NZ target is the inaugural $500,000 The Ascent, a slot race for 3-year-old trotters, at Addington on Nov. 15.

Another highlight of the night was champion trainer Emma Stewart’s stunning dominance in the $200,000 Group 1 Victoria Derby.

Stewart and co-trainer Clayton Tonkin qualified seven of the 12 finalists and snared the first four placings, with American Ideal colt Best Deal snatching victory by a head.

Best Deal had to blaze his own last quarter in :25.6 to chase down leader and stablemate Some American by a nose with Miki To Success third and Bay Of Biscay fourth.

It was the fourth Victoria Derby win for Stewart and Tonkin, following Petracca (last year), Act Now (2021) and Our Little General (2017).

Stewart also played a huge role in the $150,000 Group 1 Victoria Oaks final, playing host to star Kiwi filly and winner Coastal Babe, while training the second [Kiss], third [Showsomejoy], fourth [Vague Beauty] and fifth [Eureka Jo] herself.

Coastal Babe, brilliantly rated in front by James Herbertson, and runner-up Kiss are raced by the huge Summit Bloodstock syndicate, who were very active at the recent Lexington sales.