THIS is Leap To Fame’s greatest test yet.
The champion pacer has an 80 per cent winning strike rate (48 wins from 60 starts), boasts 11 Group wins and created history last year when he became the horse to win a Miracle Mile from a barrier (seven) wider than six.
But even his trainer-driver Grant Dixon concedes a wide barrier against the strongest Miracle Mile field this century makes for a “huge task” in the $1 million race at Menangle on Saturday night.
“That’s why he’s so great, he can overcome things other horses can’t, but this is probably his biggest challenge,” he said.
“The draw makes it harder, no doubt about that. It’s part of what made winning the Miracle Mile so special last year, we had to overcome history and win it from barrier seven.
“Now he’s got to do it again, against what looks on paper to be an even stronger field.”
Dixon said it was pointless pondering tactics.
“It’s not a race where you can have a set plan, not many are really,” he said.
“Look at last year, all the speed maps went out the window when Himaneisjeff (favourite to beat Leap To Fame) broke at the start and lost his chance. It totally changed the race.
“Those unexpected things can happen in these big, high pressure races.
“All I can do is come out, see what they’re all doing inside me and make a decision what I do then.”
Dixon takes comfort from Leap To Fame’s record in major races and especially his latest record-smashing win in the Newcastle Mile last Friday week.
“He couldn’t have gone any better and, most importantly, he felt really strong through the line,” he said.
“We’ve been able to get him back home where he thrives for about 10 days in between races.
“I’m sure he’s as good as we’ve ever had him and he’ll need to be.”
Despite the enormity of the challenge, Leap To Fame drifted from $2 to $2.70 after the barrier draw, but has since been crunched back into $2.20.
Leap To Fame’s chances have been boosted by arch-rival, sibling and main danger Swayzee being set to start from barrier one, which is potentially awkward given his lack of early speed.
Swayzee upstaged Leap To Fame when they last clashed in the Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 1 to bring the ledger back to just 3-2 Leap To Fame’s way. They have never clashed in a sprint race.
Leap To Fame will travel down from Tambourine outside of Brisbane to Menangle on Wednesday.
He will join all Miracle Mile finalists in Menangle’s security retention barn from Thursday through until race night on Saturday.
Despite being best known for his strength, it is worth noting four of Leap To Fame’s 11 Group wins have come in sprint races, including last year’s Miracle Mile and two Sunshine Sprints at Albion Park.
His career record in sprints (races 1720m or shorter) is 26 starts for a remarkable 22 wins, two seconds and two fourths.
