Leap To Fame winning a 2026 Inter Dominion heat on night two
IT is the young against the old, the girl against the boy and it promises to be an epic.
This will be an Inter Dominion pacing final for the ages.
Leap To Fame is trying to become just the fourth horse to win three Inter Dominion finals, but a mare who hadn’t even raced when he won his first final in 2023 looms as a massive danger.
Captains Mistress is an undeniable X-Factor.
With 11 wins from just 12 starts since making Australia home and a breathtaking Group 1 Rising Sun victory to land her a golden ticket into the Inter Dominion final, she is the most exciting pacer in this part of the world.
Driver Cam Hart, who has beaten Leap To Fame three times with great stayer Swayzee, can’t wait to take him on again with Captains Mistress.
“They couldn’t be more different as horses. Swayzee was such a great stayer and you had to ask him to do everything, this mare is just so fast and brilliant,” he said.
“I’m as pumped as I have ever been going into this race. Maybe it’s my competitiveness, but he (Leap To Fame) is one of the greatest of all time and the chance to try and beat him, especially with a freakish mare like this is amazing.
“Absolutely she can beat him, especially with her high speed and if she leads.
“I just want to draw to stay in front of him and then I’ve got options. If I get to the front first, I could try for the all-the-way win or take a sit on him and try and out sprint him. I want to have those options.
“Her speed is her biggest asset. It’s ridiculous how fast she is and what a high cruising speed she’s got.
“If you are a racing fan of any code, don’t miss this race between two of the all-time greats.
“Leap To Fame’s already shown he is and if this mare races another 12-18 months, I’m sure she’ll be spoken about in the same way.”
Captains Mistress is one of three finalists for trainer Jason Grimson, who at 32 is trying to become the youngest trainer to win three Inter Dominion finals.
Grimson, who has three finalists (Captains Mistress, Dangerous and Minos), is also trying to become just the third training in the 90-year Inter Dominion history to win finals with three different horses. Hall of Famers Mark Purdon and Brian Hancock are the others.
Outside of Hart on Captains Mistress, Grimson himself will drive Minos and Jye Coney will be aboard Dangerous.
Ahead of tomorrow’s crucial barrier draw at 1pm, Leap To Fame is $1.60 favourite from Captains Mistress at $3.50.
The $500,000 trotting final took a twist when $1.30 favourite Gus was surprisingly well beaten in his second round heat last night.
Defending champion Arcee Phoenix led, dictated terms and scorched a 54.7sec last half to beat stablemate Gotfeelingsyouknow. Gus finished a well-held fourth.
Arcee Phoenix’s trainer Chris Svanosio also won the other heat with former Kiwi trotter Lovemeto, which gave him three finalists.
Lovemeto, part-owned by Melbourne Cup winning trainer Graeme Rogerson, will be driven in the final by Kerryn Manning for her 17th drive in an Inter Dominion final.
“Wow, I didn’t know I’d had that many,” she said. “Growing up, the Inter Dominion is the race to win. I’ve come close, but hopefully this is the horse to do it.
“Gus looked a standout going into this second round, but the race wasn’t run to suit and he was well held so it’s opened the race right up.”
INTER DOMINION FINAL FIELDS
PACING FINAL: Leap To Fame, Minos, Dangerous, Nyack, Bay Of Biscay, Fighter Command, Cheerstolou, Max Delight, War Dan Buddy, Dashing, Triedtotellya, Tims A Trooper, Captains Mistress.
TROTTING FINAL: Gotfeelingsyouknow, Arcee Phoenix, Gus, Lovemeto, Keayang Stuka, Im Bobby, Rockinwithattitude, Mufasa Metro, Toro Stride, Zealous Spur, Hide And Seek, Golden Sunset, Jilliby Dreamlover.
PHOTO: Toby Coutts
