Standing start no issue for Leap To Fame

[Wandering Eyes]

By Adam Hamilton 

The standing start will be the least of the challenges to Leap To Fame’s New Zealand Cup hopes.

Having just his second race from a stand, the Queensland champion stepped safely and quickly before making light work of a 30m handicap and winning easily at Albion Park last night.

It was his first try from a stand since coming off 20m to win the Flashing Red at Albion Park a year ago.

And it will likely be his last standing start race before tackling the iconic NZ Cup in November.

Before then, Leap To Fame’s focus is back on mobile start racing and trying to win his second Inter Dominion at Albion Park next month.

The six-year-old has won both starts back from a spell since winning the Race by betcha at Cambridge on April 4.

“He’s had the two runs back from a break and one more will be ideal, especially two weeks out from the start of the series,” trainer-driver Grant Dixon said.

Leap To Fame is $1.40 favourite for the $1 million Inter Dominion final on July 19 with defending champion Don Hugo considered the only real danger at $4.

Don Hugo showed he is the biggest danger to Leap To Fame’s expected dominance next month when he scored a sparkling first-up win at Menangle last night.

Luke McCarthy’s stable star worked forward from a wide draw to take the lead and scorched home his closing splits in 53.6 and 26.8sec to win without being extended by nine metres.

“He felt sharp. He got away with a comfortable run in front, but did it so easily at the finish,” McCarthy said.

McCarthy confirmed the five-year-old would back-up at Menangle again next Saturday as he final hit-out before the opening round of Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on July 5.

Don Hugo, who boasts 18 wins and over $2.25 million in prize money, is trying to defend the Inter Dominion crown he won at Menangle last December.

But that was a series Leap To Fame, winner of the 2023 Inter Dominion, missed because of a health setback.

Don Hugo and Leap To Fame have clashed three times – all this year – with the scoreline 2-1 in favour of Leap To Fame.

Leap To Fame beat home Don Hugo in the Hunter Cup on February 1, then Don Hugo turned the tables to lead throughout and relegated Leap To Fame to second spot in the Miracle Mile on March 8.

Then Leap To Fame gained revenge with the most dominant of displays to sit outside and beat Don Hugo in the Race by betcha at Cambridge in NZ on April 4.

McCarthy conceded Leap To Fame was simply too good on the night, but revealed Don Hugo was found to have a virus after the race.

“That’s why he didn’t go on to the big race in Perth and we gave him a break instead,” he said.

“I’m thrilled how he’s come back and where he’s at now. One more run next will have him right where I want him going into Brisbane.”

But McCarthy knows the enormity of the challenge taking on Leap To Fame on his own patch at Albion Park in a gruelling 3157m Inter Dominion final.

“He’s an out-and-out champion, one of the greatest of all time and the (long) distance of the final is certainly in his favour,” he said.

“But we’ve beaten him before I’m sure my guy will make a real race of it given how well he’s come back after his break.”

 

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