Trainer-driver Grant Dixon dealt tricky draw for Leap To Fame’s shot at redemption in 2024 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park

Champion pacer Leap To Fame will start from the one barrier trainer-driver Grant Dixon did not want when he chases redemption in Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

Trainer-driver Grant Dixon will need to be at his very boast if Leap To Fame is to capture Saturday night’s Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park. Picture: Dan Costello

Champion pacer Leap To Fame will start from the one barrier trainer-driver Grant Dixon did not want when he chases redemption in Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

While barrier one would be ideal for most horses, Leap To Fame’s lack of early brilliance makes it tricky for Dixon and adds plenty of intrigue to Queensland’s biggest harness race.

“It’s not ideal, not the draw I would’ve chosen,” Dixon said. “One and eight (inside the back) are the two we probably didn’t want.

“But we’ve drawn there before and overcome it and he’s getting out of the gate better all the time.”

Fast beginners like Turn It Up, drawn in gate two and contesting his fifth consecutive Blacks A Fake, Jimartee (three) and Blacksadance (four) all have enough speed to get across Leap To Fame at the start.

Leap To Fame and trainer-driver Grant Dixon. Picture: Dan Costello.

Dixon will be desperately looking for room to angle off the inside marker pegs and get into the running line early.

Despite the draw, Leap To Fame is a commanding $1.35 favourite. That’s largely due to the fact Swayzee, who upset his half-brother Leap To Fame in last year’s Blacks A Fake, drew the back row (gate nine).

Incredibly, Swayzee’s trainer Jason Grimson has five runners in the feature and they all drew the back row. The others are Nerano (gate 10), District Attorney (11), Hector (12) and Himanameisjeff (13).

Swayzee is $6 second favourite from District Attorney ($11), who beat Leap To Fame three starts back, and Hi Manameisjeff ($11).

“We’ve got some work to do now,” Grimson said.

Tricky draw aside, Dixon is thrilled with Leap To Fame’s preparation, which included an easy win in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Sunshine Sprint.

Larry's done it! 🏁🏁

Leap To Fame goes back-to-back in the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint @TheCreekAlbion 👏@[e-mail]/2tWbTT5FJY

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 20, 2024

“He’s better horse (than last year) because he’s a year old and a lot more seasoned with a year in all the big races,” Dixon said.

“He’s had a lovely preparation for this and now we just need a bit of luck from that draw.”

Grimson agrees Leap To Fame will be harder to beat than last year.

“I’m sure he’s a much better horse than 12 months ago. He’s stronger and I think he’s a bit faster, too,” he said.

In the other feature, the $500,000 Protostar, unbeaten Victorian youngster The Highlight Reel is a $1.85 favourite after drawing ideally in gate three for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Mark Pitt.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

THE DRAWS

BLACKS A FAKE
Front row: Leap To Fame, Turn It Up, Jimartee, Blacksadance, Cantfindabettorman, Simply Sam, Taipo.
Back row: Don Lou (emergency), Swayzee, Nerano, District Attorney, Hector, Himanameisjeff.

PROTOSTAR
Front row: Fate Awaits, Forty Love, The Highlight Reel, Bittersweet, Cool And Classy, My Ultimate Barney, Sweet On Lexy.
Back row: Sanchez, Hesitate, Cigano, Hunger Strike (1st emergency), Dance With Carmer (2nd emergency).

Originally published as Trainer-driver Grant Dixon dealt tricky draw for Leap To Fame’s shot at redemption in 2024 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park