Harness racing’s biggest power players

In the hours after Leap To Fame’s mesmerizing Blacks A Fake win, many wondered what horses could possibly challenge him in the back half of the year.

The answer is probably none, given his sheer dominance and the fact he seems to still be getting better.

Maybe, and only just maybe, going to NZ the first time and the standing start could be some query for the NZ Cup?

His two other major targets for the rest of 2024 – the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 12 and the $500,000 Inter Dominion final at Menangle on December 14 – look his for the taking.

But that question of challenges or dangers going ahead, did spark the question of who those horses are and in what sort of pecking order.

To pinch a current term from the TAB Eureka build-up, here’s my crack at some “Power Rankings” for the pacers trying to upset Leap To Fame in coming months.

1.       SWAYZEE (Rock N Roll Heaven)

For the galloping fans, there’s starting to become a bit of Hay List/Black Caviar about Swayzee’s rivalry with Leap To Fame. Hay List was a mighty sprinter in his own right, but obviously never beat Black Caviar. He ran second in four major races behind her. In contrast, Swayzee did get that win over Leap To Fame at their first meeting in last year’s Blacks A Fake. But it’s 3-0 in Leap To Fame’s favour since. And, in the words of Swayzee’s driver Cam Hart after the latest clash: “Swayzee went amazing. Probably as good as he’s ever gone, and Leap To Fame ran away from him.” Swayzee’s run was enormous in last Saturday week’s Blacks A Fake. That combined with his rivals in an NZ Cup and Blacks A Fake, still make him the main danger to Leap To Fame, especially in staying races like the NZ Cup and Inter Dominion final if they meet again.

2.       CATCH A WAVE (Captaintreacherous)

Like Swayzee, Catch A Wave has beaten Leap To Fame home once (by a whisker). That came in last year’s Victoria Cup when Leap To Fame did the work and ran third and Catch A Wave flew home from near last to grab second. The scoreline is 2-1 Leap To Fame’s way with the Queenslander  beating Catch A Wave out of sight in last year’s TAB Eureka and the Hunter Cup earlier this year. Catch A Wave did look to go to another level winning the Nullarbor/Fremantle Cup double in April. Trainer Andy Gath makes no secret of wanting to dodge Leap To Fame whenever he can, but they will likely clash in the Victoria, Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile in months to come. Catch A Wave packs one weapon which Leap To Fame can be vulnerable too – a wicked turn of speed.

3.       MERLIN (Art Major)

The young Kiwi has all the ingredients of being a Grand Circuit start, including a genius trainer in Barry Purdon. He’s yet to meet Leap To Fame, which is probably a good thing for his mojo. He showed his open-class potential winning the Race By Grins in April, but taking on Leap To Fame is a big step-up on that. All going to plan, they’ll meet in the NZ Cup and it’s fair to say Merlin will need to have gone to another level to test Leap To Fame if the Aussie handles the standing start. He’s got time on his side and commands respect.

4.       DONT STOP DREAMING (Bettor’s Delight)

He’s the other Kiwi young gun. Next to nothing separates he and Merlin on all levels. The difference is, Dont Stop Dreaming has raced Leap To Fame – twice. The first of those runs was quite remarkable. It came in February’s Hunter Cup which Leap To Fame led and won, but everyone was super impressed with Dont Stop Dreaming being able to come three-wide and make serious ground on the champ in the closing stages. Maybe it took its toll because he wasn’t quite the same horse when they met again in the Miracle Mile on March 9 and Leap To Fame was far too good (for him and all his rivals). He’s young and should keep improving. He’s also headed towards the NZ Cup. Can he step up?

5.       BETTER ECLIPSE (Betterthancheddar)

So often flies under the radar. Yes, it’s unlikely he’ll ever beat Leap To Fame, but he’s right there with the other four “challengers” I’ve mentioned on very his best form. He has raced Leap To Fame three times, including running second (and beating home Swayzee) in last year’s Brisbane Inter Dominion final and fourth in the Hunter Cup. Hasn’t raced since his ultra consistent NZ raid, which culminated in a richly deserved Group 1 Auckland Cup win on May 24.

6.       MAJOR MOTH (Art Major)

He’s certainly the X-factor. The former Group 1-winning youngster has been plagued by injuries and made his debut for Jason Grimson carrying a huge boom at Albion Park last Saturday night. He ran up to it with an impressive and slick win. Sure, the races will get much, much harder, but Grimson’s record of resurrecting and improving horses is stunning. And Major Moth is by far the best credentialled pacer he’s picked up from another stable so far. Headed towards the Victoria and possibly NZ Cups. It’ll be fascinating to see what level he can reach.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Victoria