Leap to Fame’s superior class to the fore

The nation’s favourite pacer Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) wasn’t going to give anything away this week and in a copybook performance stamped his authority for an effortless all the way harness racing win in the Wolf Signs Open Pace at Albion Park on Saturday evening.

Harness racing patrons recall last week when he had to pull out extra reserves to defeat Captain Shuffles first up but after a run under his belt there was no doubt he looked extra sharp.

And in a special bonus for Trista Dixon she was given the privilege to become only the third driver to pilot Leap To Fame after husband Grant allowed her to take the drive. Sydney based driver Robert Morris is the only other driver to have had the honour of being in the cart behind Leap To Fame.

LEAP TO FAME 3 OCT REPLAY

Starting from the outside of the front row Leap To Fame was wide early with Dixon content to let Leap To Fame balance before she let him loose around the field. Second elect Dashing went with Leap to Fame but driver Nathan Dawson wisely elected to take the trail behind the leader while Tims A Trooper settled in third.

Leap To Fame was given a very leisurely run in the lead with Dixon only letting him go in the last half where he ran his final two quarters in 27.1 and 26.5 seconds to run his rivals off their legs. However Dashing who followed Leap To Fame throughout peeled out turning for home and fought on gamely but in the end he was just on three metres behind Leap To Fame while Tims A Trooper ran his usual honest race for third.

Leap To Fame will obviously meet more testing opposition in future races and there is a possibility that he will front up in this years Group 1 $250,000 Victoria Cup at Melton on 17 October where he could meet Captains Mistress who defeated him in this year’s Inter Dominion before he goes to Christchurch for the New Zealand Cup on 10 November. He’ll probably also have another run before he goes to New Zealand.

Grant and Trista Dixon have the seven year old entire in magnificent condition and he is sure to acquit himself admirably in whatever he contests.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink