Larry leaps onto the world stage

Queensland superstar pacer Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) showed he belongs on the world stage with a stunning harness racing win in the 2023 Inter Dominion Pacers Grand Final at Albion Park.

The long time series favorite settled parked outside the leader before Grant Dixon made a play for the lead with 2000 metres to travel and was joined by his main danger Swayzee shortly after with Victorian pacer Better Eclipse landing in the one one trail.

The pace was brutal during the last 1600 metres however when Dixon asked Leap To Fame ($2.30 fav) for a greater effort the four year old quickly opened up gap on his rivals approaching the home turn.

The pack gave chase in vain as Leap To Fame powered down the home straight throwing a 54.7 last 800 metres at his rivals cruising to the line with a 10 metre margin from Better Eclipse with a gallant Swayzee a metre away third.

Leap To Fame’s mile rate of 1:53.5 is surely an unofficial world record for the 2680 metre staying trip.

“I’m so proud of him-it’s a dream come true,” Dixon said on returning after the race to an adoring home town crowd.

“It’s been a tense week and I’m so pleased we did the horse proud and got the job done,” he said.

LEAP TO FAME REPLAY

Dixon admitted his confidence levels rose when he was able to find the lead with two laps to travel.

“I didn’t really think he could get beaten if we got to the lead under reasonable circumstances and he didn’t let us down,” he said.

Dixon said he was reassured by the way Leap To Fame was travelling despite the slick mid race sectionals.

“You get nervous when you look at the times on the clock but when you sit behind him he’s doing it so well, so you are a little bit confident in that way,” he said.

Leap To Fame becomes only the second Queensland pacer to win an Inter Dominion Grand Final behind the champion four times winner Blacks A Fake.

For complete race results, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harnesslink