GRANT Dixon knows his champion pacer Leap To Fame is in for a serious fight at Albion Park on Friday night.
Despite winning 27 of his past 28 Albion Park starts and being beaten a whisker in the race, Dixon thinks an outside draw against star rival The Janitor and the emerging Minos will make life hard.
“It’s going to set the scene a bit for the Inter Dominion, isn’t it,” he said. “If The Janitor can settle in front of me, which I’m sure Pete (McMullen, driver) will be keen to do now he’s drawn inside me, then he’s going to be very hard to beat.”
The Janitor worked to the lead in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake last December at Albion Park, leaving Leap To Fame to sit outside him.
“We only just got him that night,” Dixon said.
“He’s a horse who has always shown plenty. They’ve done all the right things with him and now it’s his time to shine.”
The Janitor also got very close to Leap To Fame second, beaten only half a neck, in the $1 million Miracle Mile on March 14.
Dixon also has respect for Jason Grimson’s new stable addition, Minos, who has gate four on Friday night.
“It’s a step-up for him, but time is time and he ran super time last week and the way he did it was impressive. I’m sure he’ll be in the mix, too,” he said.
“If anyone can find another horse to beat Larry, it’s Jason. This could be his next one.”
Leap To Fame is part of a huge weekend for Dixon and his wife, Trista, who have 21 runners at Saturday night’s huge Redcliffe Gold Cup meeting, including five in the Cup itself. They’ve won the past two Cups with Aroda (2024) and Free Thinker (last year).
Dixon is tossing up between four-year-old Path To Greatness and Fate Awaits for his drive.
“Maybe Path To Greatness being off the front line is our best chance, but he’ll need to step away a bit quicker than he did last week,” he said.
“We’ve got some good chances across the meeting (Redcliffe), but the races are all so strong and even.
“Fire And Passion is a chance in the Derby, but no standout in a strong race. Showmethetanlines is new to the stable and a nice horse, but the draw makes it hard for him.
“Amylee is a place chance in the Oaks if she takes rails runs with Alwaysbjoy and Ripples the main ones there.
“Cool And Classy looks one of our best chances, She’s got the draw and should be winning that (Princess of the Bay) race.”
PHOTO: Club Menangle/Pacepix
