Leap To Fame bounces back in Ballarat Cup

By Adam Hamilton 

The champ isn’t done with yet.

Leap To Fame reminded everyone why he is one of the greatest pacers this part of the world has seen when he “got one back” on Kingman in last night’s $100,000 Group 2 Ballarat Cup (2710m).

It was a dominant display and one that underlined the importance of barrier draws in major races.

It was also Leap To Fame’s first win over Kingman in their four clashes.

In contrast to the Shepparton Cup a week earlier when Kingman led throughout and won, this time Leap To Fame used a better draw to find the lead.

The $5 million-plus earner never really looked in danger.

Kingman hung really badly on several bends, while Leap To Fame “railed” superbly and trainer-driver Grant Dixon really put the foot down in front.

Leap To Fame smashed the track record with a 1min54.4sec mile rate – taking 0.4sec off Smolda’s 2017 race and track record – as he cruised to an 11.4m metre win.

Leap To Fame’s last mile was a remarkable 1min51.7sec. The splits were 29.1, 28.7, 26.4 and 27.5sec.

“He felt so good during the week, I’m just pleased he bounced back tonight,” Dixon said.

“The key was getting the jump on Kingman from the draw. It seems whoever gets the better trip is the victor at the moment.”

Leap To Fame’s win means he, Kingman and veteran Bulletproof Boy are the three pacers still eligible for the new $1 million Summer of Glory bonus.

To win the bonus, any of the trio will need to win the three remaining Cups, including the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup, in the Summer of Glory.

It means Leap To Fame will join Swayzee, Bulletproof Boy and maybe Kingman in next Saturday night’s $100,000 Cranbourne Cup.

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The Keayang Zahara juggernaut rolled on at Ballarat last night.

The freakish five-year-old mare made it 22 wins from just 23 starts when she cruised to victory in the $75,000 Group 2 Ballarat Trotters’ Cup (2200m).

She took 0.1sec off Just Believe’s track record and ran amazing closing splits of 54.6 and 26.9sec.

Importantly, it was her second win in the six-week Summer of Glory and has her superbly placed for a crack at the new $500,000 bonus.

To win the bonus, Keayang Zahara will need to win two of the three remaining races, including the $250,000 Group 1 Great Southern Star at Melton on February 14.

She is expected to back-up in next Saturday night’s $100,000 Group 1 Cranbourne Trotters’ Cup.

Earlier in the night, Keayang Zahara’s exciting stablemate Jilliby Ballerini posted her 14th win from just 29 starts.

It was her third win from as many starts since returning from a two-race raid to NZ Cup Week where little went right.

Driven off the speed, Jilliby Ballerini was privately clocked to run her last half in 54.8sec and cruised to a three metre win.

She is headed towards a clash with Keayang Zahara in the Great Southern Star.

They have met just once and Keayang Zahara beat Jilliby Ballerini by two metres in the Group 1 Bill Collins Sprint last October.

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Rakero Rocket blazed his way to another Menangle win last night.

Two weeks ago he paced a scorching 1min47.3sec mile at Menangle, the second fastest mile in Australasian history.

Last night his task was made easier by the scratching of key danger Don Hugo, which allowed him to lead and blast home in 53.1sec for a 1min49.5sec mile.

Trainer Jason Grimson indicated he would not be tempted by upcoming Victorian riches and focus on a Miracle Mile campaign.