Awkward draw for Leap To Fame in $400,000 Group 1

Champion pacer Leap To Fame (Bettors Delight) will start from the one barrier trainer-driver Grant Dixon did not want when he chances redemption in Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

While barrier one would be ideal for most horses, Leap To Fame lack of early brilliance makes it tricky for Dixon and adds plenty of intrigue to Queensland’s biggest harness race.

“It’s not ideal, not the draw I would’ve chosen,” Dixon said.

“One and eight (inside the back) are the two we probably didn’t want.”

“But we’ve drawn there before and overcome it, and he’s getting out of the gate better all the time.”

Fast beginners like Turn It Up, who has drawn gate two and is contesting his fifth consecutive Blacks A Fake, Jimartee (three) and Blacksadance (four), all have enough speed to get across Leap To Fame at the start.

Dixon will be desperately looking for room to angle off the inside marker pegs and get into the running line early.

Despite the draw, Leap To Fame is a commanding $1.35 favourite.

That’s largely due to the fact Swayzee, who upset his half-brother Leap To Fame in last year’s Blacks A Fake, drew the back row (gate nine).

Incredibly, Swayzee’s trainer, Jason Grimson, has five runners in the feature, and they all drew the back row. The others are: Nerano (gate 10), District Attorney (11), Hector (12) and Himanameisjeff (13).

Swayzee is $6 second favourite from District Attorney ($11), who beat Leap To Fame three starts back, and Hi Manameisjeff ($11).

“We’ve got some work to do now,” Grimson said.

Tricky draw aside, Dixon is thrilled with Leap To Fame’s preparation, which included an easy win in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Sunshine Sprint.

“He’s a better horse (than last year) because he’s a year older and a lot more seasoned with a year in all the big races,” Dixon said.

“He’s had a lovely preparation for this, and now we just need a bit of luck from that draw.”

Grimson agrees Leap To Fame will be harder to beat than last year.

“I’m sure he’s a much better horse than 12 months ago. He’s stronger, and I think he’s a bit faster, too,” he said.

In the other feature, the $500,000 Protostar, unbeaten Victorian youngster The Highlight Reel is a $1.85 favourite after drawing ideally in gate three for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Mark Pitt.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia