Leap to Fame and Gus ready for New Zealand raid

The nation’s favourite harness horse Leap To Fame (Bettors Delight) couldn’t have been more impressive in yet another hollow win in the Racing and Sports Free For All at Albion Park on Saturday night.

Leap to Fame is getting ready to tackle the New Zealand Cup at Christchurch on 11 November. Despite defeating weaker opposition it was the way that Leap To Fame won that caught the eye. Normally a safe but not spectacular beginner Leap To Fame flew out of the mobile to run a clear lead.

As was the week before the race was run in heavy rain and it was a matter of driver Grant Dixon ensuring that Leap To Fame would have a solid workout. The only move in the race was when Nathan Dawson on Dashing took off from the rear to race up near alongside of Leap To Fame but Dixon just shook up Leap To Fame and he drew clear to defeat a brave with For Real Life in third.

Leap To Fame had an easy second quarter in 30 seconds before upping the tempo in running the final two quarters in 26.3 and 26.9 seconds with an overall mile rate of 1.51.3.

LEAP TO FAME REPLAY

That’s likely to be his final run before he heads over to New Zealand for the Cup where he may also contest the New Zealand Free for All on 14 November.

Meanwhile the State’s leading trotter Gus (Majestic Son) gave a devastating first up effort coming off 50 metres to demolish the field in the Wolf Signs Trotters Discretionary.

 

In winning, Gus broke his own track record for the 2647 metres where he ran 1.56.3 which bettered his previous record of 1.57.8 that was set over two years ago.

Gus who last year took out the Dominion Trotters free For all double at Christchurch is being set for the same races next month and he showed why he’s going to take no end of beating.

He trotted safely off the 50 metre mark and driver Pete McMullen seemed to catch the field at his leisure. Coming off 20 metres Courage Stride trotted boldly early to take up the running and there were no moves until the mare Pinnie made her in the final lap to set out after the leader. Keayang Stuka followed and then Gus was right on his hammer.

Pinnie momentarily took the lead but in a flash Gus just breezed past her three wide and the race was as good as over as Gus strode clear to defeat Pinnie by just under eight metres with Keayang Stuka a battling third.

The manner of his win suggests that Gus has returned back better than ever and he’s likely to start a short priced favourite in the New Zealand feature events.

Pete McMullen stated after the event:

Its been a bit of a struggle to try and find a suitable race for him. But tonight although it was still fifty/fifty race with the handicaps, butwe just felt like we needed a run before New Zealand, so he just went out and did his thing.

He just goes through the motions. You know, with what he needs and what he doesn’t. So, we’ll just sort of tick over this week and they fly out next Sunday out of Sydney.

 

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink