Odds stacked against Leap To Fame in rematch

OWNER Kevin Seymour admits the odds are stacked against his champion pacer Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) in his rematch with wonder mare Captains Mistress in the Group 1 NZ free-for-all at Addington tomorrow (Friday).

Captains Mistress tied the scoreline 1-1 between the two greats when used a much better barrier draw to lead and upstage Leap To Fame in the Brisbane Inter Dominion final on July 18.

The draw landed in her favour again and she should work to the front from gate six, while Leap To Fame will start as the lone runner on the back row.

The short 1980m sprint distance also strongly favours Captains Mistress.

As is the fact she’s going into the race fresh with 11 days between races, while Leap To Fame is backing up from his epic win in Tuesday’s gruelling NZ Cup.

“This is a bigger challenge than Tuesday’s Cup,” Seymour said. “We couldn’t believe he drew so poorly again. It continues his horror run of barrier draws in big races.

“Everything is in her (Captains Mistress’) favour. She’s going to run straight to the front and we’ll have to do all the work chasing.

“It feels like we’ll have to climb Everest to beat her, but we’ve never shied away from a challenge and we won’t be starting now.

“Everyone is telling me Captains Mistress is unbeatable and maybe she is, but we’ll give it our best shot and what’s made Leap To Fame so great is his ability to defy the odds.

“We also feel an obligation to the NZ officials and fans who have been so incredibly welcoming and supportive of us and our horse.

“We could’ve scratched him and waited to race again back home, but this race is a promotor’s dream, and we didn’t want to deny the Kiwis the chance for a rematch like this on a public holiday when everyone can come along and watch it.”

Seymour said Leap To Fame had thrived since doing all the work and scoring one of the best and most significant wins of his record-breaking career on Tuesday.

“That’s one of the most amazing things about him, how well he bounces back from runs like that,” he said.

“If Grant and Trista didn’t think he would be right at his top, he wouldn’t run again Friday, but they say he’s often even better when he backs up quickly.”

Leap To Fame is booked on a flight back to Sydney on Monday and his next major target will be back in front of his adoring home crowd for the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on December 5.

“It’s always special racing him at home and, hopefully, it’s the end to another huge year for him,” Seymour said.

“After the Blacks A Fake, we will sit down and map out what he does at the start of next year.”

The $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 13 looks logical, as does the $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 13.

Leap To Fame already has a confirmed slot in the $1.25 million Group 1 Nullarbor at Gloucester Park on April 23.

By Adam Hamilton for Harness Racing Australia