The showdown - Leap To Fame vs Captains Mistress in ID2026

By Adam Hamilton 

The scene is set but one of the biggest stars will be missing.

While Leap To Fame and Captains Mistress cruised to easy wins and underlined their dominance ahead of next week’s $1 million Inter Dominion final at Albion Park, long-time second favourite, the NZ-bred The Janitor, won’t be there.

After two bad draws and a below par run last night, the Miracle Mile runner-up failed to qualify for the final.

It only serves to further stamp this final as a two-horse war.

Yes, there are fringe players who command respect, like Dangerous, Minos, Bay Of Biscay, Fighter Command and old Max Delight, but it will be a massive shock if Leap To Fame or Captains Mistress don’t win.

They dominate betting, but just how that looks will be shaped by Monday’s barrier draw at 3pm NZ time.

Leap To Fame stretched his unbeaten Inter Dominion record to nine races (two finals and seven heats) when he cruised home last night.

Captains Mistress, who already had the golden ticket into the final courtesy of her Rising Sun win, ticked a compulsory box by easily winning last night’s Kevin Thomas 4YO.

She is one of three finalists for trainer Jason Grimson, who is chasing a third Inter Dominion pacing final win (he won with Boncel Benjamin in 2021 and I Cast No Shadow in 2022).

Only two trainers, Hall of Famers Mark Purdon and Brian Hancock, have won finals with three different pacers, which is what Grimson will try to do next Saturday night.

Cam Hart will drive Captains Mistress, Grimson will drive Minos himself and Jye Coney will get the gig on Dangerous.

“I’ve never been more pumped for a race,” Hart said. “Absolutely we can beat him (Leap To Fame). I’ve got the utmost respect for him, he’s one of the best ever, but it’s hard not to be confident we can match it with him after driving this mare the past two weeks.

“She’s just so fast. I just want to draw to be able to stay in front of Leap To Fame.”

The barrier draw is 3pm NZ time on Monday.

Grant Dixon conceded this would be “one of our biggest tests yet.”

“It’s going to be a great race and she’s a fantastic mare, just so fast,” he said.

“I just hope the draw lands so we both get as good a chance as each other.

“The stretch to 2680m for the final suits Larry, but then again that mare won a 2700m Group 1 race at Melton in super time.

“I just hope we have a good week and get him at the top of his game again.

“I’d love him to win a third final. I think he deserves his spot up alongside those other greats who have.”

Blacks A Fake holds the record with four, while Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot have three wins.

FINAL FIELD: Leap To Fame, Minos, Dangerous, Nyack, Bay Of Biscay, Fighter Command, Cheerstolou, Max Delight, War Dan Buddy, Dashing, Triedtotellya, Tims A Trooper, Captains Mistress (golden ticket).