Can Leap To Fame overcome another tough Inter Dominion post draw?
The champion pacer will start the series second round from the second row, just like in round 1.
by Adam Hamilton
Champion pacer Leap To Fame’s unbeaten run across two Inter Dominion series’ will be seriously tested Saturday night (July 12).
The 6-year-old won all three heats and the final of the 2023 Inter Dominion series in Brisbane and opened this year’s series with the most arrogant and dominant of wins in the opening round last Saturday night (July 5).
Leap To Fame overcame an awkward inside second row barrier draw (gate 8) on night 1 and has the same alley again, but in an even more precarious position in his second-round heat.
That’s because he has drawn directly behind reigning Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, who isn’t just his main danger in this heat, but clearly for next Saturday’s (July 19) $1 million Grand final as well.
Unlike night 1 when Leap To Fame’s trainer/driver Grant Dixon snagged back to last to escape being pocketed on the inside, Dixon may “take his chances” and follow through behind Don Hugo this time.
Despite the longer 2,680-meter trip, it would be a monumental task to snag back this time and give away such a huge start to Don Hugo, who looks a certain leader.
Dixon couldn’t believe his luck when told the round 2 barrier draw.
“You’re kidding, not again,” he said. “It’s a draw I’d love with every horse I’ve got, just not him [Leap To Fame]. It’s quite incredible how often he draws 1 or 8, the two draws you don’t want with him.
“At least it’s a heat, just like night 1, and not the final. Hopefully we’re saving our good luck for the final draw.”
As great as Leap To Fame is, sheer point-to-point speed isn’t his biggest asset. He builds into his top speed and can sustain it longer than most other horses we’ve seen.
While Albion Park has a sprint (passing) lane, it is only a 1,000-meter track and it wouldn’t give Leap To Fame long to build into his gears and rundown Don Hugo, who is one of the most explosive pacers in this part of the world.
Don Hugo’s one win over Leap To Fame from three clashes came because of his sheer speed in the $1 million Miracle Mile back on March 8 at Menangle.
And this shapes as a test of speed more than strength despite the longer 2,680-meter trip.
There are few, if any, better big race drivers Down Under than Luke McCarthy and he trains and drives Don Hugo.
With an apparent lack of pressure in the race, McCarthy will get to dictate terms in front and it will be a huge ask for Leap To Fame to run him down.
McCarthy sees things differently.
“I don’t think Grant [Dixon] will follow me,” McCarthy said. “I’m not sure he’s got the speed to hold my back, so I think he’ll be angling straight away from the inside.
“The draw has certainly fallen our way. If we can’t beat him this time, I don’t see how we can in the final.”
A win for Don Hugo on night 2 would breath some competitive flavor back into a final where Leap To Fame is by far the most dominant favorite at $1.25 (for a $1 bet) in the history of the Inter Dominion after just one round of heats.
Even the conservative Dixon was moved to say how thrilled he was with Leap To Fame’s opening night heat win by nine meters and in the quickest time of the night despite having one of the hardest runs.
“I was really pleased how easily he did it and how comfortable he felt, especially going those times,” he said. “He’s in a great place.”
Visiting New Zealand trainer Jonny Cox, who chased Leap To Fame home into second spot aboard the emerging Pinseeker, was in awe of the winner.
“What a horse,” Cox said of Leap To Fame. “Just wow! We were running a :28.5 quarter early when he just whooshed around us and took the lead. He just kept rolling when he found the front, too. Then when Grant [Dixon] let him go on the last bend, the rest of us couldn’t keep up. He’s something else.”
Don Hugo’s opening night win was also effortless, but came after a dream run and in slower time than Leap To Fame.
That didn’t faze McCarthy.
“Perfect,” McCarthy said. “I’d freshened him with three weeks between runs and I know how much he’ll come on from that. I’m already looking forward to next week and beyond.
“He’s shown how he thrives on this hard racing and he’ll be right at his top for the final.”
But McCarthy is also realistic when it comes to Leap To Fame.
“He’s the horse to beat, for sure, especially with the distance [3,157 meters] for this final,” McCarthy said. “I can beat him speed in the shorter races, but he comes into his own when it’s a staying trip.
“All I can do is have my bloke as good as I can get him and he’s well on the way to that. I know we’ve got our work cut out, but you have to stay positive and we’ll give it our best shot.”
It will be a surprise if Leap To Fame doesn’t win the final and a monstrous shock if the winner comes outside he or Don Hugo. They are a league ahead of the rest.
The trotting series is a very different story.
While Aussie star Arcee Phoenix is the favorite, the odds say he will go into next Saturday’s $500,000 final without winning either of his two qualifying heats.
The Chris Svanosio-trained 6-year-old was enormous coming from near last with a sustained run and smashing the clock for a close third to young Kiwi star Bet N Win on night 1.
Bet N Win’s driver Bob Butt certainly took notice.
“Arcee Phoenix is the horse I fear most,” Butt said. “He looks to have taken the next step and that run [last Saturday] was huge on a track where the leaders and those racing on the pegs had such a big advantage.”
While Bet N Win is drawn to lead and win tomorrow night, Arcee Phoenix had a “Leap To Fame” draw from inside the back row (gate 8).
Fascinatingly, he follows out star Kiwi veteran Oscar Bonavena (gate 1), who has a history of galloping when put under pressure from inside draws.
All eyes will be on the start.
Getting it right is vital for old Oscar Bonavena after an opening night horror show.
The 9-year-old’s driver Adam Sanderson put his hand up for a driving blunder when he opted to stay in the running line instead of moving three-wide in the last lap. Oscar Bonavena was then stuck in traffic and hit the line bolting with nowhere to go in seventh spot.
In Bet N Win’s heat tomorrow, the other focus will be on the talented but headstrong Gus and frustrating NSW trotter London To A Brick.
Gus, who can gallop as much as trot, largely got it all right on night 1 for a fantastic second in his heat.
London To A Brick, who had been backed from $21 into $7 for the final, caused a false start in the same heat and then galloped soon after the start at the second attempt and finished tailed out last. He will need to win this time just to make the final.
Both finals are at Albion Park next week on July 19.
