Inter Dominion hero Leap To Fame chases second leg of harness racing’s ‘triple crown’ in Hunter Cup

Leap To Fame already has the Inter Dominion crown safely in his keeping but he is looking to join some of the all-time greats with victory in the Hunter Cup at Melton on Saturday night.

Leap to Fame. Picture: Dan Costello

IT is a case of one down, two to go for Australia’s champion pacer Leap To Fame.

The Queensland sensation won the first leg of harness racing’s “triple crown” when he blazed to victory in his hometown Brisbane Inter Dominion final on December 16.

It was a win which earned him comparisons with some of the greats of the sport, including his fellow Queenslander and four-time Inter Dominion hero Blacks A Fake.

While Leap To Fame has a long way to go to earn the sort of legendary status of Blacks A Fake, he has shown champion qualities and potential.

And those comparisons will grow irresistibly stronger if he can win the next two legs of the “triple crown” – Saturday night’s $500,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton. It’s a race which Blacks A Fake won, along with other Hall of Famers like Popular Alm, Preux Chevalier and Pure Steel.

STRUT YOUR STUFF LARRY! 😍

What a win LEAP TO FAME!

Your 2023 @ladbrokescomau Inter Dominion Pacing Champion!@TheCreekAlbion#QLDisRacingpic.twitter.com/aMakVuEzaz

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) December 16, 2023

Then follows the final leg, the $1 million Miracle Mile at Club Menangle on March 9.

If the betting markets are right, Leap To Fame will be two-down and one to go after the Hunter Cup where he is a commanding $1.35 favourite.

So, the odds say the Miracle Mile shapes as the ultimate stage for Leap To Fame to stamp his greatness.

In the Hunter Cup, Leap To Fame is the best horse in the race and drawn well (he’ll start from gate five), but his quality opposition includes Catch A Wave, the fellow five-year-old who shot to stardom winning last year’s Miracle Mile.

Leap To Fame, who needs a little time to hit top gear at the start, will keep working forward and it won’t be long before his trainer-driver Grant Dixon is eyeballing Catch A Wave in search of the lead.

“That’s probably the likely scenario when you look at the draw,” Dixon said. “I’m really happy with my draw, but I’ll admit Catch A Wave being on my back isn’t ideal for me.

“I’ve got huge respect for him, especially his speed. He’s so fast and can accelerate so quickly, he’s a dangerous horse to have stalking you.

“My bloke is fast, but he’s got to build into his speed, while Catch A Wave picks up so quickly. I’ll have to be mindful if I’m in front and he is trailing me.”

As amazing as it was to win his hometown Inter Dominion, Dixon admits adding a Hunter Cup would be special.

“It’s a race, like the Miracle Mile, I grew up watching the best horses win,” he said. “Being based in Queensland like I am, you don’t really get the sort of horse to compete in those races, or at least not with serious winning chances.

“This bloke has come along and given me that chance and I couldn’t have him better going into this race.”

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

Originally published as Inter Dominion hero Leap To Fame chases second leg of harness racing’s ‘triple crown’ in Hunter Cup