Leap To Fame’s Redemption Quest Faces DrawbackLeap To Fame’s Redemption Quest Faces Drawback At the upcoming Blacks A Fake harness race at Albion Park, trainer-driver Grant Dixon’s champion pacemaker, Leap To Fame, will start from an unfavorable position that could hinder his pursuit of redemption. “It’s not ideal,” Dixon admitted, acknowledging the challenges of starting from barrier one. “One and eight (inside the back) are the two we probably didn’t want.” Leap To Fame’s lack of brilliant starts poses additional hurdles, adding intrigue to Queensland’s grandest harness race. Quick starters like Turn It Up, Jimartee, and Blacksadance could seize the lead early on. Dixon’s strategy will be crucial in finding space and entering the running line quickly. Despite the draw, Leap To Fame remains a clear favorite at $1.35. His main rival, Swayzee, has drawn the back row, which could weaken his chances. However, trainer Jason Grimson will field a formidable contingent of five runners, all occupying the back row. Dixon is confident in Leap To Fame’s preparation, noting his recent victory in the Sunshine Sprint. He believes his horse has evolved since last year, gaining strength and speed. “He’s prepared very well for this,” Dixon stated. “Now we just need a bit of luck from the draw.” Grimson also recognizes Leap To Fame’s enhanced abilities. “He’s stronger and a bit faster as well,” he said. Meanwhile, in the Protostar event, unbeaten youngster The Highlight Reel is the $1.85 favorite after earning an ideal third-round draw. Drawings: Blacks Are A Fake * First row: Leap To Fame, Turn It Up, Jimartee, Blacksadance, Cantfindabettorman, Simply Sam, Taipo * Back row: Don Lou (emergency), Swayzee, Nerano, District Attorney, Hector, Himanameisjeff Protostar * First row: Fate Awaits, Forty Love, The Highlight Reel, Bittersweet, Cool And Classy, My Ultimate Barney, Sweet On Lexy * Back row: Sanchez, Hesitate, Cigano, Hunger Strike (1st emergency), Dance With Carmer (2nd emergency)
Champion pacemaker Leap To Fame will start from the barrier that trainer-driver Grant Dixon did not want when he went in search of redemption in the $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on Saturday night.
While starting block one would be ideal for most horses, Leap To Fame’s lack of brilliant performances makes it difficult for Dixon and adds extra intrigue to Queensland’s biggest harness race.
“It’s not ideal, not the draw I would have chosen,” Dixon said. “One and eight (inside the back) are the two we probably didn’t want.
“But we’ve been through it before and we’ve overcome it. And he’s coming out of the blocks better and better.”
Fast beginners such as Turn It Up, who is drawn in gate two and is running his fifth consecutive Blacks A Fake, Jimartee (three) and Blacksadance (four), all have enough speed to catch Leap To Fame from the start.
Dixon will be desperate to find space to get away from the inside markers and into the running line early.
Despite the draw, Leap To Fame is a clear favorite at $1.35. That’s largely because Swayzee, who defeated his half-brother Leap To Fame in Blacks A Fake last year, drew the back row (gate nine).
Incredibly, Swayzee’s trainer Jason Grimson has five runners in the feature and they have all drawn the back row. The others are Nerano (gate 10), District Attorney (11), Hector (12) and Himanameisjeff (13).
Swayzee is second favourite ($6) to District Attorney ($11), who beat Leap To Fame three starts ago, and Hi Manameisjeff ($11).
“We still have some work to do now,” Grimson said.
Apart from the difficult draw, Dixon is very pleased with Leap To Fame’s preparation, including an easy win in the Group 1 Sunshine Sprint last Saturday evening.
“He’s a better horse (than last year) because he’s a year old and has a lot more experience with a year’s experience in all the big races,” Dixon said.
“He has prepared very well for this and now we just need a bit of luck from the draw.”
Grimson agrees that Leap To Fame will be harder to top than last year.
“I’m sure he’s a much better horse than he was 12 months ago. He’s stronger and I think he’s a bit faster as well,” he said.
In the other event, the $500,000 Protostar, unbeaten youngster from Victoria, The Highlight Reel, is the $1.85 favourite after scoring an ideal third-round hit for trainer Emma Stewart and driver Mark Pitt.
• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor to harness racing for News Corp.
THE DRAWINGS
BLACKS ARE A FAKE
First row: Leap To Fame, Turn It Up, Jimartee, Blacksadance, Cantfindabettorman, Simply Sam, Taipo.
Back row: Don Lou (emergency), Swayzee, Nerano, District Attorney, Hector, Himanameisjeff.
PROTOSTER
First row: Fate Awaits, Forty Love, The Highlight Reel, Bittersweet, Cool And Classy, My Ultimate Barney, Sweet On Lexy.
Back row: Sanchez, Hesitate, Cigano, Hunger Strike (1st emergency), Dance With Carmer (2nd emergency).
Originally published as Trainer-driver Grant Dixon faced tough draw for Leap To Fame’s chance at redemption in 2024 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park
