Race of the Week - The toughest pacer in the world

Some races live up to their enormous expectations. Others go beyond them.

The $800,000 Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday (November 10) delivered one of the greatest contests witnessed in recent years, with Australian champion Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) producing a performance worthy of his legendary status.

It had everything a great harness race should have. Tactical moves, relentless pressure and a desperate finish that had the Addington crowd on its feet.

Swayzee flew the tapes and established the lead, while Leap To Fame secured the perfect one-one position before trainer-driver Grant Dixon made his move with two laps remaining.

The champion settled parked outside Swayzee, giving Marketplace the ideal trail.

Defending champion Kingman then launched a searching three-wide run, and with 600 metres remaining, the three Australian stars were piling on the pressure.

Leap To Fame headed Swayzee turning for home, but Marketplace was ready to strike and Tact McLeod was charging along the inside.

After doing all the hard work, surely the champion was vulnerable.

Not this horse.

Leap To Fame dug deep, finding another gear to hold Marketplace by a neck, with Tact McLeod producing the race of his life to finish third.

LEAP TO FAME REPLAY

The final 800 metres flashed by in 55.4 seconds, an extraordinary closing sectional after 3200 metres of demanding racing.

“To Larry’s credit again — he just loves winning,” Dixon said.

It was a victory that added another remarkable chapter to Leap To Fame’s extraordinary career and gave Dixon, his wife Trista and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour the New Zealand Cup trophy they had long coveted.

Marketplace was magnificent in defeat, while Tact McLeod, Swayzee and Kingman helped produce a contest that will be remembered for years.

But this was Leap To Fame’s moment.

A champion’s performance, a thrilling finish and a New Zealand Cup for the ages.

from Harnesslink Media