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The Australian
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Australian
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello
Daily Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Telegraph
Leap To Fame races to Inter Dominion glory
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Arcee Phoenix wins the Inter Dominion Trotting Grand Final Picture: Dan Costello Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280. · Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp. PHOTOS: Dan Costello Originally published as Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
News.com.au
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Superstar pacer Leap To Fame streaks to effortless Inter Dominion victory
CHAMPION rival driver Luke McCarthy hailed Leap To Fame the greatest pacer he had seen after the Queensland champion romped his way to a second record-breaking Inter Dominion pacing final win at Albion Park on Saturday night. In front of a packed and one-eyed local crowd, Leap To Fame romped away for his 22nd successive win at his home track and his 56th win from just 69 lifetime starts. The $540,000 first prize also made him the all-time richest pacer in this part of the world with $4,630,884 – surpassing another great Queenslander, Blacks A Fake's $4,575,438 stakes tally. McCarthy, who finished fourth on defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo, said: 'He's amazing. He's not just the greatest stayer we've seen, he's the best horse full stop.' Leap To Fame has now contested seven Inter Dominion races, five heats and two finals, and won them all. He started the shortest priced favourite ($1.22) since the Inter Dominion began in 1936 and, after being crossed at the start, worked around to take the lead and was never in danger. 'This time it's more of a relief, the expectation was just so huge,' trainer-driver Grant Dixon said. And he leaps into harness racing immortality as @TheCreekAlbion erupts! ðŸ'¥ Leap To Fame takes control in the Inter Dominion Pacing Grand Final and wins with ease - he's now the all-time richest pacer in the Southern Hemisphere! ðŸ�†ðŸ'¥ @RaceQLD — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 19, 2025 'We had a little scare during the week. He bucked and knocked his leg, which he's never done, but thankfully it wasn't anything serious.' Leap To Fame became just the eighth pacer to win multiple Inter Dominion finals and owners Kevin and Kay Seymour hinted strongly at chasing a third crown, which only three other pacers have done (Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Our Sir Vancelot). 'The big studs have been coming hard at us to retire him, but we'll hold off for at least another year,' Kevin Seymour said. 'We've been in the game over 50 years and this is the horse we've dreamt of getting … Kay won't let me retire him, at least not for a while yet. 'It's important everyone understands the huge role Grant and Trista Dixon have played in making this horse.' In typical Seymour fashion, he said the winning trophy would go to Albion Park track photographer, Dan Costello, who is facing a huge battle with cancer. 'Dan's one of nature's gentlemen and is going through a really hard time. I'd love him to have the trophy and Kay and I will donate $100,000 of the prize money towards Dan's medical bills,' he said. Leap To Fame will have a break before aiming at another first, victory in NZ's most iconic race of any code, the NZ Cup at Addington in Christchurch in November. Earlier, star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. 'Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he's here as a six-year-old winning the Inter Dominion,' Svanosio said. 'There's lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.' Arcee Phoenix became just the fifth Aussie-trained trotter to bank over a million with first prize taking him to $1,016,280.
News.com.au
13-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 Inter Dominion final draw: Leap To Fame draws one, Don Hugo in six
Not even the worst possible barrier draw should stop champion pacer Leap To Fame from winning a second Inter Dominion pacing final at Albion Park next Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon initially shook his head in disbelief when Leap To Fame drew gate one, after having barrier eight (inside the back row) in both qualifying heats. 'Most horses would love the pole, but it's the one draw we didn't want,' he said. That's because Leap To Fame has only average early gate speed and, if he's crossed at the start, traffic and luck in running become a potential issue in the $1 million race. But Dixon's initial look at the rivals drawn on the front row eased his frustration somewhat. 'It's not a really fast front row. There's nothing explosive, who looks certain to get across us,' he said. 'I think we're a chance to hold up and lead. That's what I'll be trying to do anyway. 'At least it's a real staying race (3157m) so if he is crossed, we've got plenty of time to find some clear air.' Leap To Fame will start the shortest-priced Inter Dominion favourite in history, but did ease from $1.10 to $1.25 after drawing the pole. The six-year-old hasn't been beaten at Albion Park since November 4, 2023. He's won 20 successive races at the track since. Just as he did in the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion, Leap To Fame is aiming for a clean sweep after winning all his qualifying heats. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Pacers Heat 5 ðŸ�† “HE’S PLAYING CHESS, THE OTHERS ARE PLAYING CHECKERS!â€� LEAP TO FAME blitzes them. Bring on Grand Final Night! ðŸ'� 🤩 #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 Leap To Fame missed last year's Sydney Inter Dominion through illness, which paved the way for Don Hugo to win. Don Hugo then upset Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile on March 8, but Leap To Fame has beaten him in all three other clashes, including last Saturday night's heat when Don Hugo had a torrid run and tired for seventh. Don Hugo has gate six and loads of early speed, but will trainer-driver Luke McCarthy dare to unleash him over an untried marathon distance? Leap To Fame is one of three finalists for Dixon. His wife Trista will drive Aroda (gate 13) and Jack Chapple will partner Tims A Trooper (gate eight). Queensland trainer Shannon Price said 'ask me Thursday' who stable driver Adam Sanderson would partner out of Speak The Truth (gate three) and Sure Thing Captain (12). ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Pacers Heat 6 ðŸ�† @shannon_raboki ’s SPEAK THE TRUTH fends off a wall of challengers to claim the final Pacing Heat of the series! A clean sweep for the Queenslanders at @TheCreekAlbion ðŸ'° #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 Menangle trainers Kerry Ann and Robbie Morris also have two runners, Cya Art (gate four) and old marvel Petes Said So, who will contest his fourth consecutive Grand Final at his 215th start. Victorian star Catch A Wave drew outside the front (gate seven) and is a $21 shot. The $500,000 trotting final is a lot more open with Victorian star Arcee Phoenix firming from $4 to $2.50 after snaring gate one, while young Kiwi star Bet N Win, who won both his heats, is $3.50 second elect from gate five. Other big guns London To A Brick (gate 11), Oscar Bonavena (12) and Gus (13) are all out the draw and had to start from wide on the back row. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Trotting Heat 3 ðŸ�† BET N WIN simply too good! He finds cover the trip and explodes late to score his second ID25 Heat win, remaining undefeated at @TheCreekAlbion for the White barn! ðŸ'¥ #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 INTER DOMINION GRAND FINAL DRAWS PACERS Front row: Leap To Fame, Rakero Rebel, Speak The Truth, Cya Art, Petes Said So, Don Hugo, Catch A Wave. Back row: Nyack (emerg), Captains Knock, Tims A Trooper, Max Delight, Sure Thing Captain, Aroda. Here’s your final leaderboard for the @ladbrokescomau 2025 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship! ðŸ�† #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 TROTTERS Front row: Arcee Phoenix, Love Gun, Sir Fahrenheit (emerg), Parisian Artiste, Bet N Win, Not As Promised, Golden Sunset. Back row: Constantinople, Harry Stamper, Zealous Spur, London To A Brick, Oscar Bonavena, Gus. Here’s your final leaderboard for the @ladbrokescomau 2025 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship! #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
2025 Inter Dominion heats: Leap To Fame takes on Don Hugo at Albion Park
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 on Saturday 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) 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 Don Hugo, the second-best pacer in the series. Dixon has driven against Luke McCarthy for more than 20 years and knows better than most the genius of Don Hugo's trainer-driver. 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.' ðŸ�† ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 3 ðŸ�† 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 — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025 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. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 1 - Pacers Heat 2 ðŸ�† 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 — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 5, 2025 McCarthy knows the draw has massively fallen his way this time, but he's 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.
