Leap To Fame and Kingman eye $1.25 million Nullarbor showdown

WA harness racing is on the verge of securing its biggest coup in recent memory with connections of Leap To Fame (Bettors Delight) hoping to run the once-in-a-generation pacer in the 2027 $1.25 million TABtouch Nullarbor slot race (2536m) at Gloucester Park on April 23.

Known at his Queensland stable simply as “Larry” and described as “the perfect pacer”, the superstar seven-year-old looms as a major attraction for the WA racing industry’s annual Western Trilogy – the world’s only tri-code slot race series – after his connections applied for a slot in the Nullarbor.

If successful, he is also expected to line up in the $300,000 Group 1 Fremantle Pacing Cup (2936m) at Gloucester Park the week after the Nullarbor.

And to add to the Nullarbor’s intrigue, Sydney-based star Kingman (Always B Miki) is also likely to be aimed for Perth after his owner Mick Harvey applied for a slot with his Harnesslink brand.

Trained by Luke McCarthy, Kingman has conquered Leap To Fame three times in their high-profile rivalry. The five-year-old has topped the $1 million prizemoney milestone after 44 career starts.

Leap To Fame’s racing record is nothing short of remarkable. Incredibly, he has been unplaced at just two of his 92 career starts, winning at 72 of them and earning a whopping $6.53 million in prizemoney – making him the nation’s richest pacer of all time.

The son of USA stallion Bettors Delight, who is regarded as the world’s greatest sire of all time in the code, has recorded a multitude of Group 1 victories including two Inter Dominion Championships, a pair of Miracle Mile wins, the AG Hunter Cup and the Victoria Derby.

Notably, he also twice won New Zealand’s now defunct slot race known as The Race. The demise of that event, which was held at the same time of year as the Nullarbor, was a significant factor in deciding to look at WA as a new racing option.

Racing and Wagering WA Head of Harness Racing and Special Events Cameron Brown said Leap To Fame had become an icon of Australian racing for his extraordinary deeds. He said having the star pacer in Perth would be a major celebration.

“Leap To Fame is a horse that transcends racing codes,” Brown said. 

“He is the greatest standardbred of the modern era and one of the most admired racehorses in Australia, regardless of code. His participation in the Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup in April would generate enormous public interest, significant national media coverage and provide a tremendous opportunity to showcase Western Australian harness racing on the national stage. 

 “We’d obviously be delighted to welcome owners Kevin and Kay Seymour, trainer-driver Grant Dixon and the entire Leap To Fame team to Western Australia. Kevin and Kay have been outstanding contributors to Australian harness racing for many decades and we look forward to hosting them here for what promises to be a memorable Western Trilogy carnival.” 

Leap To Fame is trained and driven by Grant Dixon, who describes him as his “dream come true” horse.

Before his on-track career began, he was accidentally left out of the catalogue for the APG Sales in Sydney and had to be included on an extra loose page. He was ultimately knocked down for sale by auctioneer and long-time WA racing broadcaster Darren McAullay for $47,000.

Gloucester Park Chief Executive Officer Michael Radley said Leap To Fame had compiled a racing resume that positioned him as Australia’s greatest-ever pacer. He said the horse was harness racing’s equivalent to thoroughbred racing’s four-time Cox Plate-winning superstar, Winx.

“It is hard comparing eras, but his record says he is the greatest pacer of all time,” Radley said.  

“He is also like the greats of the past – possessing the best qualities of champion harness horses being so tough and fast, dominating year after year. It’s not just one great season for him.  

“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing him live. He’s such a magnificent athlete and his looks match his record.  

“To have him race in Perth would be just so exciting. It’s the equivalent of Winx in the thoroughbreds coming across the Nullarbor.” 

Legendary Australian sports broadcaster Bruce McAvaney said there was truly something special about Leap To Fame.

“There are singular performances that take your breath away, but then there is a body of work,” McAvaney said in a “Larry the Great” documentary produced by Racing Queensland. 

“What makes a champion stand out from the others? What makes him so special? It is that incredible ability to beat their contemporaries and then to beat those who are coming again and be able to withstand the challenge. 

“He is, CV-wise, the equal of any horse we’ve seen.” 

by Steve Butler for RWWA