Dixon’s New Zealand Cup raid hinges on Saturday race

The hopes of Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) contesting the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup look to rest on a race at Melton on Saturday night.

Trainer-driver Grant Dixon swung a surprise today by putting the champion pacer the final field of six runners for a 2240m free-for-all.

And the plan is to run and then decide on the NZ raid.

Leap To Fame has passed two major “check points” since his slightly below par third in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Victoria Cup.

It was the first time in almost two years he has been beaten twice in a row.

The rising seven-year-old has pleased Dixon with his demeanour and appetite since last Saturday night’s race.

More crucially, a precautionary blood test taken yesterday came back all clear this morning (Tuesday).

But there is one last hurdle to clear.

“I’m going to do one more blood (test) with him Thursday before committing to the Saturday night race,” Dixon said.

“If that’s good, then we’ll race again this week.”

While he will face just five rivals on Saturday night, they include eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave (gate five) and giant-killer Bulletproof Boy, who stunned everyone when he ran down Leap To Fame in the Smoken Up Sprint last Saturday week.

Leap To Fame will also start from the outside draw (six) with Catch A Wave in five and Bulletproof Boy four.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing New Zealand