Leap To Fame blitzes them in Newcastle Mile

National superstar Leap to Fame (Bettors Delight) smashed the track record by over one and a half seconds with a stunning harness racing performance In last night’s AVE Technologies Group 2 $100,000 Newcastle Mile at the Newcastle Paceway.

Harness racing fans who turned up to see Leap To Fame were not disappointed with the star who was eased out at the beginning by driver Grant Dixon.

From their inside draws Sure Thing Captain and Kanena Provlima had a furious early battle for the lead with Adam Sanderson holding on to the lead with Sure Thing Captain.

LEAP TO FAME FEB 21 REPLAY

Leap to Fame almost dropped back momentarily to getting a one out and one back trail but Dixon gave Leap to Fame some rein and despite being wide he strode to the lead with a lap left to travel.

Despite having run his first two quarters in 27.2 and 27.5 seconds Leap to Fame kept the pressure on his rivals. Grand pacer Max Delight who had a trail was eased out on the final bend but by this stage Leap to Fame had sprinted clear and at the finish he had 7 metres to spare over Max Delight who edged out Sure Thing Captain for third.

In running 1.49 flat for the mile, Leap to Fame went 2.9 seconds faster than when he won this race last year.

More importantly by way of his outstanding win, Leap to Fame has automatically booked his place for the Group 1 $1 million Miracle Mile to be held at Menangle Park in a fortnight’s time. He now has 47 wins from 59 starts and has earned over $3.427 million in prize money for his owners Kevin and Kay Seymour.

Max Delight ran his usual honest race in taking out second and he will have a chance as with others to try and qualify for the Miracle Mile in the $100,000 qualifying sprints at Menangle Park on 1 March.

The question is now whether Leap to Fame can go back to back with the Miracle Mile.

Depending on the barrier draw Leap to Fame is likely to start favourite and on the strength of his awesome display looks the testing material. However he will encounter stronger opposition than last night with the likes of Swayzee, Don’t Stop Dreaming, Captain Ravishing and Catch A Wave all likely to take their place in the coveted classic.

And the event is sure to generate national interest with such a talented group of pacers looking to take the main prize.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink