By Adam Hamilton
Luck as much as talent could decide if champion pacer Leap To Fame wins Saturday night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park (2680m).
As great as the five-year-old is, Leap To Fame’s lack of early speed makes barrier one tricky.
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon conceded it was one of two barriers he didn’t want – one or eight (inside the back row).
“He’s getting off the gate better all the time, but there’s a couple of really quick ones drawn outside him,” he said.
Noted slick beginners like Turn It Up (gate two), Jimartee (three) and Blacksadance (four) all have more early speed than Leap To Fame.
Despite the draw, Leap To Fame actually shortened from $1.50 to $1.35, largely because his key dangers, and all five of Jason Grimson’s runners, drew the back row.
They include defending champ Swayzee. He drew gate nine, but will come into eight (inside the back row) if emergency Don Lou doesn’t gain a start.
Grimson’s other runners are: Nerano (10), District Attorney (11), Hector (12) and Himanameisjeff (13).
Swayzee, who famously upstaged Leap To Fame in last year’s Blacks A Fake, has been beaten by him in both clashes since.
The reigning NZ Cup champ is $6 second favourite.
Grimson insists Swayzee will strip a lot fitter for his latest run when a well beaten second to Leap To Fame after leading in the Mr Feelgood on July 13.
“He was a bit fat that night. He hadn’t raced for three weeks and needed the run,” Grimson said.
“We’ve stuck the work into him since and we’re hoping to give Leap To Fame a contest again.”
But Grimson concedes Leap To Fame will be harder to beat than last year.
“I think he’s a lot better horse than last year. He’s stronger and he’s a bit faster, too,” he said.
Dixon agreed: “He was only a four-year-old last year and he’s now right in his prime.
“He’s had a year racing in the big races and is just more experienced and seasoned. It has toughened him up.”
Grimson was thrilled with the runs of District Attorney, Hi Manameisjeff and Nerano when they chased home Leap To Fame in last Saturday’s Group 1 Sunshine Sprint.
“I couldn’t have asked for anymore,” he said. “They’re all at the top of their game for this week.
“While the back row draws aren’t ideal for mine, they’ve worked out a lot better with ‘Larry’ drawn one.”
Grimson had some work to do juggling drivers for his five runners.
Cam Hart will continue his association with Swayzee, Jack Callaghan is on District Attorney ($11), Leonard Cain takes the reins on Nerano ($14), local star Pete McMullen picks up the reins on Hi Manameisjeff ($11) and Jack Brown is on outsider Hector ($71).