Leap to Fame returns with strong win

Australia’s premier pacer Leap to Fame (Bettors Delight) showed he is back with a vengeance with a narrow but decisive harness racing win in the Somerset Farms Avonnova Pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Resuming from his successful stint in New Zealand where he defeated the best that the Shaky Isles could offer Leap To Fame was drawn on the inside of the second row. Run in pouring rain, in form local Wisper A Secret from the outside of the front row burst to the early lead while Grant Dixon on Leap to Fame was intent in getting off the rails at the beginning.

LEAP TO FAME 31 MAY REPLAY

Dixon allowed Leap To Fame to settle down and then he took off with his customary brilliance to race outside Wisper A Secret whose driver Pete McMullen was able to run his own pace in the lead.

Leap To Fame gradually drew alongside Wisper A Secret and he edged clear on straightening. Dixon seemed intent on giving Leap To Fame as easy run as possible and on the line he had half a neck over Wisper A Secret with Jimartee who at one stage was at the rear of the field finishing strongly for third.

Leap To Fame rated 1.53.8 for the 2138 metres and run his last two quarters in 27.2 and 27.6 seconds. It certainly was a good test for him in reasonable company and a solid workout first up from which he can only improve.

Leap To Fame is favourite to defend his Inter Dominion crown and at his home track is early favourite with the bookmakers.

He is likely to be kept busy with a few more runs before the first round of heats on 5 July and all being well should take his place in the Ladbrokes sponsored $1 million Final on 19 July. At this stage his final preparation will be the $26,000 Lucky Creed Open at Albion Park on 28 June.

He is likely to be handicapped out of the Redcliffe Cup and Flashing Red Discretionary which are both standing start events.

Wisper A Secret ran the race of his life and showed that he is capable of matching it with the best and on his home track Albion Park is sure to be prominent in the Heats.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink