Leap To Fame with Grant and Trista Dixon
GRANT Dixon will take luck out of the equation as he aims to keep champion pacer Leap To Fame’s unbeaten Inter Dominion record intact at Albion Park tomorrow night.
Leap To Fame has won all three heats and a Grand Final across two Inter Dominions, but yet another awkward inside back row draw (gate eight) tomorrow presents him arguably his biggest challenge yet.
Not only is gate eight the worst place Leap To Fame could draw, but he’s also following out his main danger the second-best pacer in the series, Don Hugo,
Dixon has driven against Luke McCarthy for over 20 years and knows the genius of Don Hugo’s trainer-driver better than most.
He won’t give McCarthy the chance to “snooker” him.
So, Dixon has dismissed growing speculation he would push through from the back row, sit behind Don Hugo and try to beat him in a dash home at the end of the long 2680m trip.
“I don’t think I can afford to do that because that would give Don Hugo and Luke too much control of the race,” said Dixon.
“So, I’m pretty sure I will be getting away from the markers as soon as I can and more than likely have to sit parked outside Don Hugo at least the bell.
“Larry’s (Leap To Fame’s stable name) greatest attribute is his strength, so if we have to use that then that is how it will be.”
It’s a powerful vote of confidence from Dixon in a race that doesn’t actually mean a lot in the scheme of things because this is just a qualifying heat.
The big prize is the $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion final a week later.
But it fits with the booming confidence Dixon exuded after Leap To Fame powered to victory after a tough run and in the fastest time of the night at last Saturday’s opening round of heats.
“I was thrilled with how easily he did it and how sharp he felt. He’s right where we want him,” he said moments after the runaway victory.
Dixon is also a competitive beast and will want to build on Leap To Fame’s 2-1 lead over Don Hugo, who won last year’s Inter Dominion final and beat Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile in March.
McCarthy knows the draw has massively fallen his way this time, but I'm still wary of Leap To Fame.
“That doesn’t surprise me that Grant wants to get off my back, I’ve been saying all week I thought he’d do that,” he said.
“The draw is still a big help to us. My guy has trained-on really well and will be fitter for last week’s win.
“It’s a good track to be in front around and we’ll get our chance to beat him.
“Put it this way, if we can’t beat him from this draw over this distance (2680m) then I don’t know how we possibly can in the final over even further (3158m).”
Leap To Fame is $1.60 tomorrow night despite the draw with Don Hugo at $2.60.
Leap To Fame’s dominance is even stronger in Grand Final betting at $1.25 with Don Hugo at $3.80.
The final fields for the pacing and trotting finals will be decided tomorrow night with the crucial barrier draws on Sunday.
PHOTO: Dan Costello
