Leap to Fame atones in Cranbourne Cup

The saying that a good horse always bounces back was never more applicable than last night when Leap to Fame (Bettors Delight) led all the way for a predictable win in the $100,000 Group 2 Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup last night.

Harness racing fans turned out in large numbers to see Leap to Fame attempt to win successive Cranbourne Cups and they were not disappointed.

After his gallant defeat to Swayzee in last week’s AG Hunter Cup, the question was whether he would return to the winner’s circle.

Starting from the pole with the scratching of Serg Blanco Leap to Fame showed speed from the release but as expected Mach Dan had too much early zip. Not wanting to get pocketed Grant Dixon quickly extricated Leap to Fame and he then worked to the lead although he had to do some work to get there.

The New Zealand star Don’t Stop Dreaming who had settled at the rear of the field was then sent forward by Kate Gath and he settled outside Leap to Fame with one and a half laps to travel. The rest of the field seemed to be struggling on the final bend when Leap to Fame started to put the pressure on his rivals.

He couldn’t quite shake off Don’t Stop Dreaming but when tapped up it was always the case that he would still win and he had just under five metres to spare from Don’t Stop Dreaming who hung on for a brave second with fellow New Zealander Tact Macleod filling in third placing.

THE CHAMP GOES BACK-TO-BACK!
Another successful raid by the Queenslanders Grant Dixon and Leap To Fame, who secure a second-straight victory in the Decron Cranbourne Gold Cup! pic.twitter.com/Slk8xnbZLZ

— The Trots (@TheTrotsComAu) February 8, 2025

In windy conditions Leap To Fame’s winning mile rate of 1.58.4 was nearly three seconds slower than last year’s win. However his last quarters of 27.6 and 27.4 seconds in the blustery conditions were testament to Leap To Fame’s brilliance which was certainly on display in the coveted classic.

Dixon stated after the race

“I had to tap him up down the last straight. Don’t stop Dreaming ran a great race. He started to come at him a bit but the track was sort of reasonably soft and the wind was strong”.

“But he went through the line good and felt comfortable on the line. He didn’t get up and zipped down the straight as quick but just the way he went through to the line in the end. I was happy with that.”

“Trista (Dixon’s wife) and me are so honoured to be part of him. He has given us a great ride. We just hope to keep him going fronting up in some of these races. We’ll set him for the Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion later in the year.”

Don’t Stop Dreaming lost no admirers in finishing second and Tact Macleod ran his usual honest race to take third placing.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink