By Adam Hamilton
Kiwis are likely to see champion Aussie pacer Leap To Fame in the flesh earlier than expected.
The six-year-old heads to a title defence in the $1m Miracle Mile at his next run on Saturday week, then the focus switches to the $1m Race by Betcha at Cambridge on April 4.
But owner Kevin Seymour said it was “most likely” Leap To Fame would have a lead-up run at Cambridge in the $60,000 Group 2 Waikato Flying Mile on March 28.
“Grant will start locking down plans over the next week or so,” Seymour said. “Providing he comes through the Miracle Mile well, we’d like to head over (to NZ) early, out of Sydney, rather than taking him back home first.
“He’ll need a run with a month between the big races and giving him a look at Cambridge makes sense. That’s the most likely plan at this stage.
“It will be great to finally get across (to NZ) with him after he missed two planned trips last year, especially the NZ Cup.
“It’s definitely something we want to do with him, see how he goes against NZ’s best on their home ground.”
Leap To Fame became the first confirmed Miracle Mile runner when he brilliantly won the Group 2 Newcastle Mile last Friday night.
The entire obliterated the track record with his 1min49sec flat mile taking 1.6sec off the old mark.
“The most pleasing part was how strong he felt through the line at the finish,” Dixon said.
Dixon was straight on the road from Newcastle to his Tambourine base outside of Brisbane so Leap To Fame could get maximum time in his own surroundings before heading to Menangle.
“He’ll need to head down early for the retention barn, but we can get about 10 days at home where he absolutely thrives,” he said.
In other news, dual NZ Cup winner Swayzee will take his place in one of the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night.
“With me up here (Brisbane), Cam Hart was good enough to go and drive him in work for me (Saturday) and he was very happy, so he will definitely run this week,” trainer Jason Grimson said.
“I know people say he’s a stayer and the mile won’t suit, but I think he’ll surprise them.
“He’s got a great chance of winning (the Miracle Mile) if he can settle in front of Leap To Fame.”
Swayzee took his career record to 2-3 against Leap To Fame when he led throughout and beat him in the Hunter Cup on February 1.
Grimson said stable newcomer Captain Ravishing and star former Kiwi mare Aardie’s Express would be his other key runners in the Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle on Saturday night.
