It’s crunch time for Leap To Fame

The last time Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) raced at Menangle, he won the $1mil Miracle Mile, but his return to the harness racing track will be just as important on Saturday night.

The champion pacer needs to fire to lock in his first trip across the ditch to tackle the $NZ1mil NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch on November 12.

Nothing short of a big run and terrific recovery will be enough for trainer-driver Grant Dixon to press ahead.

Leap To Fame’s NZ Cup raid looked in tatters just ten days ago when an untimely virus forced him out of the Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton, where he was a $1.20 favourite.

But the $3.2 million earner has since impressed Dixon and owner Kevin Seymour with his swift recovery and slick trackwork.

“He’s back on track to race at Menangle on Saturday, and everything is going well. NZ looks back on target, too,” Seymour said.

Dixon was a little more reserved: “Let’s get through Saturday night before we talk any more about NZ.”

Leap To Fame, who boasts 43 wins from just 54 starts, will dominate betting on Saturday night. He has drawn gate eight but will move into seven if the emergencies come out.

The long 2300m distance of the Battle of Beersheba free-for-all suits his great staying qualities.

On Saturday, two of his major rivals, Jason Grimson’s pair Major Moth and Nerano, are also on trial for trips across for the NZ Cup.

Leap To Fame and champion trotter Just Believe will headline a record team, possibly as many as 12 horses, headed to Addington for NZ Cup Week.

Just Believe, who won all four starts in an NZ raid earlier this year, will return for the $NZ400,000 Group 1 Dominion Trot on November 12 and also run three days later in the $NZ100,000 Group 1 NZ free-for-all.

Trainer Jess Tubbs said Just Believe would likely have his final lead-up run at Maryborough on Sunday.

“He’ll probably go to the (Trotters’) Gold Cup there,” she said.

“Then he’s booked on a flight over next Tuesday night (October 29).”

“Better Eclipse is going, too. He’ll probably race at Melton on Saturday night.”

Tubbs could have four NZ raiders with tough and in-form trotter, One Over All and Victoria Derby finalist Hes From Heaven also likely.

Unbeaten three-year-old trotting filly Keayang Zahara is another heading across.

The Marg Lee-trained star will chase her 11th win and fifth at Group 1 level in Sunday’s Victoria Trotters’ Derby at Maryborough.

Her major target is the inaugural $NZ500,000 The Velocity at Addington on November 15.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia