Leap To Fame with Grant Dixon
IT is almost two years since Leap To Fame has been beaten twice in a row, but the betting markets say there is a big chance it will happen again tomorrow night.
Just a week ago the champion pacer was $1.25 and considered close to unbeaten in the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup, last week’s shock defeat and a horror barrier draw have seen him drift from $1.50 to $1.90 since the draw.
Significantly, the past two times he was $1.90 or better was beaten, when second in the Miracle Mile on March 8 (at $2.20) and second in the Hunter Cup on February 1 (at $2).
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon is a lot more concerned about the barrier draw than Leap To Fame bouncing back from last week’s defeat.
“I just can’t fault him since, so I’m not dwelling on that (defeat). It was probably a combination of things, especially travelling so close to the race and all through the night on Thursday (into Friday morning),” he said.
“The draw is the challenge. Unless something unexpected happens, I really don’t have a choice to go right back at the start to get into the clear and that means I’ll be giving such a big start to some horses who can run quick times.
“The distance makes it so much harder. Over 2760m (like the Hunter Cup) you’ve got more time to work into it, but 2240m means it’ll almost be a sprint race by the time we get out and going.”
Dixon’s assessment of the draw has been echoed by key rivals like Andy Gath (trainer of Catch A Wave), Luke McCarthy (trainer-driver of Kingman) and Cam Hart (driver of likely leader Hi Manameisjeff).
“Grant’s been able to get out of a sticky draw a few times in the past, but it’s hard to see how he can without conceding at the start this time,” Gath said.
“It’s made the race as a contest and spectacle. I know Grant wouldn’t like it, but it really gives us all a chance to beat him and we don’t get many chances like that.”
Hart went further, saying Catch A Wave from gate one, rather Leap To Fame was the main danger to him if he finds the lead as expected on the speedy Hi Manameisjeff.
“Yes, it’s a really sticky draw for Grant. By the time he gets into the clear, he’ll be a long way off the leaders with a lot of chasing and work to do,” he said.
“If I lead, I’d be most worried about Catch A Wave on my back and getting the sprint lane.”
McCarthy added: “It’s certainly boosted my confidence (with Kingman). I’ve got a fast and tough horse and should be a long way in front of Leap To Fame. I’ll be driving with purpose.
“Even if Grant gets around, the race will become a bit of a sprint and he’s shown before in these shorter or middle distances races he can be beaten. Not so in the staying races.”
While Leap To Fame boasts 57 wins from 71 starts at an 80 percent strike rate, he’s only winning at 50 percent (four wins from eight starts) at Melton.
This will be his third attempt at the Victoria Cup, having run third in 2023 and being scratched just days before last year’s Cup when a raging hot favourite.
Catch A Wave ($11 into $6), and Kingman ($4.40 into $4) have been best backed to beat Leap To Fame this time.
PHOTO: Stuart McCormick
