Leap to Fame serves warning to his rivals

Albion Park was the venue for the most talked about comeback in harness racing for Australia’s top pacer Leap to Fame (Bettors Delight) and the six year old did not disappoint with an awe inspiring performance to take out the Racing and Sports. Com Divided Open pace last night.

Resuming after a setback which derailed his Victoria Cup and New Zealand Cup campaigns last year Leap to Fame had impressed in a trial at Albion Park the week before so the expectations on his return were high.

On his return Leap to Fame encountered a reasonable field but nothing of his calibre. The much improved Captain Shuffles flew the mobile start and he easily found the front. But Grant Dixon on Leap to Fame allowed the stallion to work around the field. Nathan Dawson on Captain Shuffles wisely allowed Leap to Fame to cross to the lead.

Leap to Fame started to apply his customary pressure in the back straight on the final occasion but Captain Shuffles stuck with him as they ran their third quarter in 27.3 seconds. However Leap to Fame was only just getting going and he then cleared away with a final quarter of 26.6 seconds to win by 15 metres from a brave Captain Shuffles with Northview Hustler a distant third.

LEAP TO FAME REPLAY

In running a mile rate of 1.52.7 Leap to Fame was outside his track record 1.51.2 but anyone who witnessed his performance would concur that he can only improve and he is ready to take on the very best to offer in his forthcoming campaign.

Trainer Grant Dixon has mapped an ambitious program for Leap to Fame who is ready to defend his AG Hunter Cup title that he so brilliantly won some 12 months ago. The event is on in a fortnight and there is a possibility that he could tackle next Saturday night’s Casey Classic at Melton as he thrives on hard racing.

He’s also scheduled to take on the races that he won in 2023 namely the Cranbourne Cup, the Newcastle Mile and then the Miracle Mile all in the space of one month so followers will have a number of opportunities to see the star in action.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink