Leap To Fame primed for Inter Dominion heats on Saturday night

By Adam Hamilton 

The champ is primed.

Trainer-driver Grant Dixon says Leap To Fame is “as good as ever” heading into his quest for a third Inter Dominion crown.

The championships start at Brisbane's Albion Park on Saturday night with the second heats next weekend and the Grand Final on July 18. 

Leap To Fame is trying to protect an unbeaten Inter Dominion record, having won three heats and the final in 2023 and two heats before last year’s final.

“I think he’s pretty much where he was before last year’s series, no better, no worse,” Dixon said.

“He seems really good. He’s had the two (lead up) runs and it’s been a good preparation.

“There’s obviously some to still build through the series.

“A couple runs back-to-back should have him spot on for the final.”

Dixon dismissed suggestions Leap To Fame’s Miracle Mile and Cambridge slot race wins in recent months suggest he is better than ever.

“No, I just think he’s the same,” he said. “I think it’s just fresh in everyone’s minds what he did at Cambridge.

“I know he put a space in them there and it’s not something he’s done a lot, but he couldn’t have been better going into that race.

“He’d had some really strong racing going into it and was super rock-hard fit.

“Then he had a little time to freshen up in between runs and felt amazing on the night.

“I’ll be happy if he brings that sort of form into this series.”

Dixon isn’t fussed about having to clash with one of his main dangers in the series, The Janitor, on opening night (9.32pm).

Leap To Fame is $1.15 and expected to work forward from gate five and find the lead, probably from Ubetcha Tigerpie. The Janitor ($6) is drawn directly outside him in six.

“The main thing is to stay in front of The Janitor and with him drawn right next to me, I think we’ll do that because he’s no quicker out than us,” he said.

“If we find the lead then good, but I won’t be fussed if he has to sit outside the leader. He likes sitting there, it seems to keep his mind on the job more, then he swells up when they come at it.”

Dixon admits he the Rising Sun could also play a role in the Inter Dominion final, especially if Captains Mistress wins.

“What a race that is, the Rising Sun,” he said. “If she wins, it sounds like they’ll go on to the Inter Dominion.

“Even though it’s hard for a four-year-old mare against the seasoned older horses, you have to have huge respect for a horse with her sort of high speed if she got the right run.

“The Janitor seems to be getting closer to us, as well. Pete (McMullen) and Chantal’s (Turpin) horses are going great and if he built through the series and the draw went his way in the final, he’d be a big chance.”