Leap To Fame to start new campaign this weekend

By Adam Hamilton 

There is plenty to get through first, but it is looking increasingly likely Leap To Fame will return to New Zealand for the iconic IRT NZ Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway in November.

Trainer-driver Grant Dixon has great confidence from how well his champion pacer handled his successful hit-and-run raid on the $1mil Race by betcha at Cambridge on April 4.

It was 50th and arguably best win in his stellar career.

“He thrived and came home in great order. It didn’t take much at all out of him and he obviously raced so well over there,” Dixon said.

Leap To Fame will have his first race since when he resumes in a 2138m free-for-all at Albion Park on Saturday night.

It will be one at least two lead-up runs before the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion starts at Albion Park on July 5.

Leap To Fame worked so well last Saturday, Dixon opted to take him straight back to the races without a trial.

“Gee he worked well,” he said, "the trials up here are only over a mile and you end up running a terrific time in them, so we felt we might as well just take him straight to the races.

“We’re really happy with him. By racing this week, it also gives us a bit of time in case another race or two don’t stand-up between now and the Inter Dominion.”

Leap To Fame has won his past 16 starts at Albion Park with the last defeat way back on November 4, 2023.

He started from an awkward inside draw that night and never saw daylight before finishing fourth.

Dixon pointed to a similarly awkward draw as the biggest challenge this week.

“You wouldn’t believe he’s drawn inside the back row again. I’ve never seen a horse get these awkward draws more than him,” he said.

“It makes it tricky. There’s a few nice horses in this race and you can’t afford to snag back at the start or you’ll be giving away a huge start when they’re running super times up front. We’re going to need some luck.”

Leap To Fame, who won the 2023 Inter Dominion and missed last year’s series with a health issue, is a $1.50 pre-post favourite for this year’s $1 million final on July 19.

Dixon will also have recent stable addition Captain Hammerhead, who beat dual New Zealand Cup winner  Swayzee in the Albury Cup earlier this year, step-out at Albion Park on Saturday night.

“His trial for us was OK, but we’re still getting to know him,” he said. “We’ll know a lot more after this race and we’ve gone to the standing-start race because we’re looking at races like the Flashing Red and Redcliffe Cup with him,” he said.

Captain Hammerhead won 14 races and over $350,000 for Victorian trainer David Moran before switching to Team Dixon early this month.