By Adam Hamilton
The $1m IRT NZ Trotting Cup is still more than three months away, but one of the most defining lead-up races is just days away.
Defending champion Swayzee, Aussie champ Leap To Fame and Swayzee’s stablemates Nerano and District Attorney could all be at Addington on the second Tuesday in November.
That quartet headlines a strong and fascinating $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake (2680m) at Albion Park on Saturday night (10.41pm).
Leap To Fame is a commanding $2 favourite in current markets for the NZ Cup, with Swayzee is at $10 and Nerano at $12.
In between them, Jason Grimson’s latest exciting stable addition, Major Moth, is $7.
Major Moth, a former top juvenile with Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin, looked sharp when second in a Menangle trial yesterday (Wednesday) and will step-out at Albion Park in coming weeks.
“He could be an NZ Cup horse,” Grimson said. “If Swayzee goes back, which is likely, then it would make sense to take another one or two across with him.
“I’ll be nominating a heap of them and will decide who goes a few weeks out from the race, but I’m very keen to get back and give it another crack.”
Leap To Fame looks close to certain to head to NZ for the first time in his stellar career.
Owner Kevin Seymour said a final decision would be made after the Victoria Cup in October and when/if suitable transport back to Australia can be locked-in.
“That’s crucial,” he said. “We want to go to NZ, but can’t compromise his Inter Dominion chances.
“So, we’ll need to be sure we can get him out of NZ quickly and hopefully directly from Christchurch to Sydney.”
So, who wins this Blacks A Fake?
Will Leap To Fame exact revenge on Swayzee for last year’s defeat and take his record to 3-1 against the NZ Cup hero?
There’s no doubt Leap To Fame is the best horse in the race and has had a perfect build-up, but the barrier draw has added so much intrigue.
The one draw his trainer-driver Grant Dixon didn’t want was barrier one.
Leap To Fame will be crossed at the start and then Dixon has the almighty task of trying to avoid being buried on the inside, possible three-back if Turn It Up leads then takes a trail as he does in most staying races.
“I drew one and got off three starts back, but everyone will be awake this time and doing everything they can to keep me in,” Dixon said.
“It’ll be tricky, but I can’t overthink it.
“It’s a race which is more about my drive than the horse’s ability. The pressure is on me.”
Grimson admitted his five runners, most notably Nerano, would be hellbent on keeping Leap To Fame on the marker pegs.
Nerano follows out Turn It Up, meaning he will quickly be alongside Leap To Fame at the start.
“There’s a lot riding on Leonard Cain’s drive (on Nerano),” Grimson admitted.
“If Leap To Fame gets stuck on the inside, my horses are right in the race, but if he gets off, he’s a lot better than he was last year and will be very hard to beat.”