Pacing guns Leap To Fame, Don Hugo clash in second rounds of 2025 Inter Dominion heats
At least that's how it looks with an earlier than expected clash of pacing big guns Leap To Fame and Don Hugo in the second round of Ladbrokes Inter Dominion heats at Albion Park on Saturday night.
Most fans, and connections of both horses, had hoped and expected they wouldn't clash until the $1 million Grand Final a week later.
But the random nature of the field selection on night two will see not only Leap To Fame and Don Hugo clash, but also eight-time Group 1 winner Catch A Wave and emerging Kiwi star Pinseeker are also in the same heat.
This will be the fourth time Leap To Fame and Don Hugo, who both easily won their opening heats at Albion Park last Saturday night, have met with the former holding a 2-1 advantage.
The barrier draw is the big talking point this time and gives Don Hugo a huge to square the ledger.
Don Hugo has drawn gate one and looks a certain leader, while Leap To Fame has yet again drawn the worst possible barrier for him, gate eight (inside the back row).
Leap To Fame is an easing $1.60 favourite with Don Hugo at $2.50.
Don Hugo's trainer-driver Luke McCarthy conceded he had a lot in his favour this time.
� ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 2 �
The defending Inter Dominion champ stalks the lead, peels at the turn and scores well! A class performance & drive from Luke McCarthy! ðŸ'� @ladbrokescomau @CobbittyEquine @HRNSW_Harness @TheCreekAlbion #QLDisRacing pic.twitter.com/x8eXMnbGx8
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025
'If we can't beat him this week, the way the barriers have landed, I don't see how we can in the final. The draw is a huge help,' he said.
McCarthy doesn't subscribe to the widely-held theory Leap To Fame's trainer-driver Grant Dixon will follow him through at the start and stalk him.
'No, I think Grant's plan will be to get straight off again,' he said. 'There will be plenty of speed at the start and I'm not sure Leap To Fame would have the speed to be able to hold my back, so I can't see him taking the risk of being buried three back on the inside.
'Either way, the draw gives us our chance.'
McCarthy was thrilled with Don Hugo's soft opening round heat win.
'I deliberately took him in fresh knowing how he thrives on the hard racing. He'll take plenty out of that run and be better again for the final. I'm really happy were he's at.
'But Leap To Fame was awesome winning his heat and I know the enormity of the challenge ahead, this week and in the final.'
� ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 3 �
Just a little flex from the champion LEAP TO FAME in the third heat! Gee, Larry just made that look easy tonight ðŸ'¥ 😳 @TheCreekAlbion @ladbrokescomau #QLDisRacing pic.twitter.com/YMpPcCumO4
— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025
Leap To Fame firmed from $1.30 to $1.25 to win the final after night one, while Don Hugo eased from $3.50 to $3.80.
McCarthy was taken by the performance of NSW pacer Captains Knock when second to Don Hugo on night one.
'He's a really nice horse when he's right and it looks like Brad (Hewitt) has him firing again at the right time. He was very brave after doing the work against Hugo,' he said.
Captains Knock escapes the stars in round two and is $2.20 against Speak The Truth and Rakero Rebel at $3.80.
The other opening night heat winner, Shannon Price's talented local Sure Thing Captain (gate four), is $1.40 to repeat the dose in round two from gate four. His main danger will be classy veteran Max Delight (gate 12).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘Harry played for it': Nathan Cleary and Harry Grant clash over controversial ruling in Storm's epic golden point win over Penrith
Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has accused Storm rival Harry Grant of playing for a penalty in the final few minutes of Thursday's epic encounter in Sydney, with Melbourne's main man firing back that Penrith players knew they were in the wrong. A depleted Storm side outlasted the defending premiers thanks to a crafty Grant try in golden point, but the Panthers feel they should have won the game in regulation after Cleary potted a field goal with three minutes remaining. The shot would have given them a 19-18 lead but referee Ashley Klein immediately penalised prop forward Moses Leota for running interference and stepping into Grant's path to block him from getting to Cleary who later had two attempts charged down. The Panthers challenged the call but it was immediately dismissed because attacking players aren't allowed to loiter in the ruck to block defenders. Moses Leota blocks the charge down attempt, and Melbourne escapes a Cleary field goal! ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 'Harry was too smart at both ends. That's pretty much it,' a diplomatic Ivan Cleary said after the match. But his son was fired up, with Ivan even encouraging him to 'be honest' when he paused momentarily to answer the question. 'If that was in the field of play and you run a block shape, it wouldn't have been an obstruction because they ruled that out if you're typically defending at that three man and you play for an obstruction, they don't want that in the game,' he said. 'But for some reason, it's different for a field goal. 'I thought the blocking rule was brought in so that people wouldn't stand next to the play the ball, but Moses wasn't in that position. 'I don't believe that everyone can get behind me on that field goal, and then essentially Harry played for it because he knew he was going to get the penalty. 'I don't believe that Moses moved so it was pretty frustrating.' The Panthers have been clinical in so many field goal scenarios, with Cleary recently nailing a long-range shot to send their game against the Titans to golden point. 'It was a bit different because it happened straight after a line break so I went into that position – it wasn't a standard field goal,' he said. 'I think that's what makes it harder because it was after a line break so Moses was there to take the next run. 'I'm not sure what he was meant to do. I know it's a common cliché but is he meant to then run through? But if he runs through, then he's a chance to take people out. 'Do we expect him to get all the way behind the ball, but then we've got no one to run it. I feel like it's a split second thing where I'm calling like I want the ball to take the field goal and Moses is there to take the run, and he didn't move.' Grant was told of Cleary's frustrations but said all teams know the rules around blockers and that he could hear Penrith players telling Leota to 'get out of the road'. 'I think anyone in the game has seen that's been policed numerous times, and that's the rule within the game,' he said. 'Even the Penrith boys were aware of it in the game and when it happened so I'm happy if that's the rule then we stick to it, but if we want to change it then come out during the week and change it. The defence parts like the Red Sea and the Storm win it in Golden Point. ðŸ'° Watch #NRLPanthersStorm on ch.502 or stream on Kayo: â�°âœ�ï¸� BLOG â�°ðŸ'¢ MATCH CENTRE — Fox League (@FOXNRL) August 14, 2025 'I think anyone would agree that's been policed numerous times throughout the year. Hats off to the officials for policing it the same way because it would have been easy to change it. 'A lot of attention will go to that, but it doesn't need to. 'The attention should go to what a quality contest it was and how well they played. We were underdogs and had a fair few players out but we turned up so I really think that (people should focus on the result).' The controversial penalty overshadowed Grant's heroics at the death when he fooled the markers who raced out to pressure a potential shot at goal, with the Storm hooker able to dart over for the winner as he did at the same venue in golden point against the Eels two years ago. It capped a vital win for the Storm who remain in the hunt for the minor premiership, with Xavier Coates starring on the wing as they snuck home without Jahrome Hughes and Ryan Papenhuyzen.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
O'Connor at No.10 as Wallabies suffer more injury woe
Veteran James O'Connor has been called on to take on the playmaking duties as the Wallabies seek to build on the impetus of their Lions' third-Test win with a rare victory in South Africa at the start of the Rugby Championship. But a plan for the 35-year-old O'Connor, back in the green and gold after three years, to share the No.10 role has had to be shelved after Ben Donaldson went down injured in training on Thursday. The idea had been for O'Connor to play the first 40 minutes with Donaldson coming on after the break but the injury has left the Wallabies looking at risky alternatives in the playmaking department as they get set to face the world champions in Johannesburg on Saturday (Sunday AEST). "In the second to last play of the training, 'Donno' kicked the ball and pulled up short so we don't know what the extent of the injury is," coach Joe Schmidt revealed after naming the team. "We've only been back from training for about an hour so he will get a scan now and we'll have a definitive picture because we need to know for next week as well whether we need more cover. "Nic White can cover No.10 and is astute enough to do so, Andrew Kellaway has the skill set as well if we go with what we've got at the moment." The inclusion of the 35-year-old O'Connor at No.10 is the only change to the starting XV that defeated the British & Irish Lions 22-12 in Sydney a fortnight ago, as he comes into the side after Tom Lynagh suffered a concussion in that encouraging victory. O'Connor, who helped New Zealand outfit Crusaders win the Super Rugby title this season, hasn't played for the Wallabies since 2022 but still looks the safest pair of hands after all the fly-half woes Schmidt has had to contend with, what with first-choice Noah Lolesio also out with neck trouble. O'Connor's halfback partner will be another veteran, White, who has doubled back on his decision to retire after the Lions series when first choice Jake Gordon got injured. Donaldson's injury has necessitated a late change to the planned bench with Schmidt having to replace the versatile back with loose forward Nick Champion de Crespigny. That means Australia will go from a five-three to six-two split between forwards and backs among the replacements. Yet Schmidt sounded upbeat as he noted: "The group has had a good week of preparation, adjusting pretty well to the time zone and the altitude well here in Johannesburg. "There's not many bigger Tests than playing South Africa on their home turf and we know we're going to need to be at our best on Saturday night." Australia are seeking their first win at Ellis Park since 1963, when they beat South Africa 11-9. Australia team: 15–Tom Wright, 14–Max Jorgensen, 13–Joseph Suaalii, 12–Len Ikitau, 11–Dylan Pietsch, 10–James O'Connor, 9–Nic White, 8–Harry Wilson (captain), 7–Fraser McReight, 6–Tom Hooper, 5–Will Skelton, 4–Nick Frost, 3–Taniela Tupou, 2–Billy Pollard, 1–James Slipper Replacements: 16–Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17–Angus Bell, 18–Zane Nonggorr, 19–Jeremy Williams, 20–Langi Gleeson, 21–Nick Champion de Crespigny, 22–Tate McDermott, 23–Andrew Kellaway.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Carlton make a statement in ‘enormous' Pies beat down as rivals kick-off new season
Carlton kicked off the AFLW's 10th season on a perfect note with a comfortable 24-point win over arch rivals Collingwood. The Pies started the night strongly with the first two goals, but the Blues would kick six of the next seven to cruise to victory at Ikon Park, 6.9 (45) to 3.3 (21). Mimi Hill starred for the Blues in the midfield with a game-high 32 disposals and Erone Fitzpatrick bagged two goals as Carlton opened its account with a win in a campaign captain Kerryn Peterson will miss due to the birth of her first child. 'They'll be really pleased with the electricity of their footy,' Herald Sun reporter Lauren Wood said on Fox Footy. 'Particularly without their captain. 'Naturally when you're without your skipper, you would have that sense of unknown. But led by Mimi Hill, they were pretty seamless without her.' Former AFLW Carlton coach Daniel Harford said Hill was 'allowed to do whatever the hell she liked' and 'took full advantage of that'. 'Really set the game alight, she was enormous,' he said on Fox Footy. Harford also praised Carlton's 'slick' ball movement, but noted Collingwood 'had no answers' in a disappointing start to the season for last year's wooden spooners, who have dropped 13 of their last 14 games. 'There's a few questions about the Magpies on the back of that and what they're trying to do and look like,' he added. 'They didn't show too much tonight, sadly for Magpies fans.' Collingwood fans had one moment in particular to cheer about, with No. 1 pick Ash Centra kicking her first goal with her first disposal in the second term. But further souring the loss for the Pies was Irish rookie Kellyann Hogan's night ending prematurely due to a shoulder issue.
