Leap To Fame in track record Cranbourne Cup win

Australia’s best pacer Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) established a track record in the Cranbourne Cup en route to his ninth consecutive harness racing win. 

The pace was on from the outset as Pete Said So, Cya art and Kanena Provlima all vied for the early lead and took the field through a record lead time of 67.5 for the 2555 metres cup distance. 

Meanwhile Grant Dixon must have been quietly chuckling to himself on Leap To Fame ($1.10 fav) who lobbed along at the rear of the field before taking off with a lap to travel. 

Leap To Fame joined the leader Kanena Provlima on the home turn and Dixon turned the whip around half way down the straight and the son of Bettors Delight responded surging clear to score by 10 metres from Max Delight with Rakero Rebel five metres away third in a track record mile rate of 1:55.6. 

GREATNESS AT CRANBOURNE! 🤩

Grant Dixon and Leap To Fame add a Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup to a A G Hunter Cup in what is a special fortnight in Victoria. pic.twitter.com/dDQcaVCJQM

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) February 10, 2024

Dixon admitted he was forced to keep the winner’s mind on the job half way down the home straight. 

“He went well although I had to give him a little tap up down the straight to keep his mind on it when he went past the leader,  but I was super happy with him,” Dixon said. 

“There is a strong breeze out there and there were obviously quite a few good runs in the race,  particularly the leader so it was good to get the win,” he said. 

Dixon agreed the frantic early tempo played into his hands. 

“It did feel like they were going quick so I was happy enough to stay back for a while and then make a run when we had to go and when I asked him to go he did it well,” he said. 

Dixon said Leap To Fame is heading to the Newcastle Mile in a fortnight. 

“Next stop is Newcastle and then hopefully the Miracle Mile,” he said. 

The David Aiken trained Max Delight continued his rejuvenated form with a gallant second placing which took him past $1m in stake earnings. 

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink