Leap To Fame in total domination mode

Mercurial pacer Leap To Fame (Bettors Delight) again displayed his prowess beyond belief with a devastating harness racing win in the fifth heat of the Second round of the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championships at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

There was much expectation as to the driving tactics because of the highly anticipated clash between Don Hugo and Leap To Fame.

LEAP TO FAME. JUL 12 REPLAY

To the surprise of many, Don Hugo who was expected to lead couldn’t muster the early speed to hold out both Aroda and Kanena Provlema. Meanwhile it didn’t take long for Grant Dixon on Leap To Fame to get one off the fence. Luke McCarthy on Don Hugo rather than get boxed in come out one out to race outside the leader.

New Zealand visitor Pinseeker had the one out and one back sit and Leap To Fame was right behind him. It was obvious at that point that Don Hugo would have his work cut out especially with Leap To Fame right behind him.

The race took another twist when Jonny Cox took off with a lap and a half to travel and cleared away. He appeared to have over raced and going into the final lap he had a lead of over 15 metres.

But along the back straight Dixon let Leap To Fame go and he stormed away. Don Hugo couldn’t go with him and he was a beaten horse turning for home.

At the finish Leap To Fame had ten metres to spare over the fast finishing Nyack with Kanina Provlema coming in for third.

Grant Dixon was his usual modest self following the event.

“That was Plan C and that let him have a bit more experience. He hasn’t had to get in the field and do things like that”.

“It turned into a really serious race when Pinseeker took off. They were stop start but when they got going they got going fast”.

“It was good that he relaxed in the spot. Hopefully the distance shouldn’t worry him. So it was a concern for everyone”.

“Regarding barriers the eights haven’t been that unlucky so may as well hope for another eight if the wins keep coming”.

Dixon was also pleased that his other contenders Aroda and Tims A Trooper will make the Final.

“It would be super if them two boys could get in. They’ve raced well through their two heats and it would be nice to see if they could scrape in”.

Luke McCarthy wasn’t too perturbed with the run of Don Hugo who despite running eighth still comfortably qualified for the Final.

“He had an unnecessary gut buster which that’s racing. We won’t winge about it and look forward to next week”.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink