Inter Dominion stars primed for racetrack return

THE two biggest harness racing stars of the Brisbane Inter Dominion are nearing racetrack returns.

Former champion and local hero Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) and defending champion and Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo (Art Major) will both be back racing in early June.

They will step-out at the trials in the next week or so.

Leap To Fame is a dominant $1.55 prepost favourite for the $1 million pacing final with Don Hugo a clear $4 second elect.

The Albion Park series starts on July 5 and the finals are on July 19.

Leap To Fame hasn’t raced since one of the best and most dominant wins of his stellar career in the $NZ1 million Race by betcha at Cambridge in NZ’s North Island on April 4.

“He’s back working strongly and is almost ready to trial,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. “I’m keen to give him two runs leading into the series.”

Leap To Fame gave Dixon, his wife Trista, and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour the biggest thrills of their time in the sport when he made a clean sweep of the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion.

The six-year-old is on target to overtake fellow Queenslander Blacks A Fake as Australasia’s all-time richest pacer if he can win his two heats and the final of this year’s series.

The Luke McCarthy-trained Don Hugo capped a meteorite rise to stardom when he upset Leap To Fame in the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle in March. It followed wins in last year’s TAB Eureka and Sydney Inter Dominion final.

Leap To Fame gained revenge when he sat outside and crushed Don Hugo at Cambridge last start.

McCarthy felt Don Hugo wasn’t himself that night and scratched him from a plan trip to Perth for the $1.25mil Nullarbor, won by Mister Smartee.

“He was on target to be back trialling now, but it’s been so wet up here, I’ve held him back a week or so,” McCarthy said.

“He thrived during the break. He needed it. He was a bit off after the Cambridge run.

“There’s a race on June 7 I’m looking at for him.”

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria