Gus NZ
LEAP To Fame has led the recent resurgence of harness racing in Queensland and now Gus joins him in the quest for a remarkably double tomorrow night.
Only once in the past 47 years have horses trained in the host state won both the Inter Dominion pacing and trotting finals.
That was two years ago in NSW when Don Hugo won the pacing and The Locomotive the trotting final at Menangle.
Before that, you have to go way back to 1978 at Moonee Valley when Victorian pair Markovina won the pacing final and Derby Royale the trotting final.
Trotting is relatively new in Queensland, so Gus' emergence is particularly exciting. He showed he was one of the best trotters in this part of the world with a huge Group 1 double at NZ's iconic Cup Week last November..
This is fourth tilt at an Inter Dominion series and has been his target ever since those NZ wins.
Leap To Fame is racing to build on Queensland's proud record in the pacing final over the past 20 years.
Albeit with just two horses, Leap To Fame (2023 and last year) and Blacks A Fake (2006, '07, '08 and 2010), Queensland pacers have won six of the past 20 finals.
Victory for Leap To Fame would make him just once of four pacers to have won three or more Inter Dominion pacing finals.
Blacks A Fake stands alone with four, while Im Themightyquinn (2011, '12 and '13) and Our Sir Vancelot (1997, '98 and '99).
Leap To Fame and Gus will have some support flying the Queensland flag.
Locals Cheerstolou, Dashing and Leap To Fame's stablemate, Tims A Trooper, qualified for the pacing final.
While outsiders Mufasa Metro, Golden Sunset, Hide And Seek and Zealous Spur join Gus in the trotting final.
PHOTO: Race Images NZ
