Aussie News - July 28

By Adam Hamilton

Get ready New Zealand, you are in for a treat.

It now seems close to a lock Leap To Fame is IRT NZ Cup-bound and he’ll do so in career-best form.

Leap To Fame went to a new level, if that’s possible, with a mesmerizing win in last night’s $400,000 Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park.

He’s got to be right up with any of them (greats of the past) now,” owner Kevin Seymour said. “You didn’t believe me when I said he had that sort of potential and look what he’s done, especially in the past 12 months.”

In that time, Leap To Fame has won the Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile and now gained redemption in Queensland’s biggest race after a shock and controversial defeat by half-brother Swayzee in last year’s Blacks A Fake.

Fears of barrier one being Leap To Fame’s undoing were quashed early when trainer-driver Grant Dixon extricated himself from a potential pocket.

But then Leap To Fame had to work hard three-wide without cover in a record 74.9sec lead time before eventually finding the spot outside the leader, Hi Manameisjeff.

After Leap To Fame’s torrid run, Swayzee launched a big three-wide run around the field and loomed ominously.

But there was no upset this time. Leap To Fame switched into another gear, kicked clear again and raced away to beat Swayzee by 7.2m.

Despite the work he did, Leap To Fame obliterated the track record with a 1min52.8sec mile rate for the long 2680m trip – taking 0.6 off the previous mark.

Leap To Fame’s win was his 41st from just 52 starts and he’s banked $3,194,685.

Races like the $300,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup (October 12), $NZ1m IRT NZ Cup (November 12) and a defence of his Inter Dominion title at Menangle in December look at his mercy.

Leap To Fame capped a fairytale night for Kevin and Kay Seymour and Grant and Trista Dixon after they also won the inaugural $500,000 Protostar with Fate Awaits.

“Winning big races here at Albion Park is special and to be part of history and win the first Protostar, a race I think is a magnificent thing for the sport, is very special,” Kevin Seymour said.

Fate Awaits sat behind leader and favourite The Highlight Reel and ran him down late in a blistering 1min50.6sec mile rate for 1660m.

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Former Kiwi filly Aardie B Miki blasted home for her biggest win in last night’s $150,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks.

Trained by Chantal Turpin and driven by Pete McMullen, Aardie B Miki escaped a pocket three pegs and ripped home her own last quarter in 25.9sec to gun down leader and hot favourite Millwood Bliss.

Aardie B Miki, a half-sister to Aardies Express, is raced by Canadian Mike Tanev.

“She exploded like a volcano when she saw daylight,” he said. “I’m so privileged to have a horse with that sort of ability and she’s part of a terrific family.

“A huge thanks to Chantal and Pete and team for the great job they’ve done with her since she got to them.”

McMullen said: “It was actually scary how fast she felt when we got clear.”

Turpin added: “We’re going to have to look at Victoria now.”

Races like the Victoria Oaks and Breeders Crown are obvious targets.

Millwood Bliss disappointed after leading, especially with emerging Victoria Look Like Diamonds sitting outside her and beating her home.

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Put a ring around the name Major Moth.

New trainer Jason Grimson thinks the former Group 1-winning Victorian pacer could be a potential New Zealand Cup runner.

It’s a huge call, but Grimson has a knack of transforming and/or resurrecting horses and quickly.

Major Moth won 13 of 28 starts, including the 2YO Breeders Crown final, for top trainers Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin.

“He could be a great pick-up. If he gets back to his best he might even be an NZ Cup horse for me,” he said. “The Victoria Cup will be his first big target if he comes back as good as we hope.”

Major Moth, who hasn’t raced since December 3 last year, ran a terrific second to Dougs Platter in a Menangle mile trial last Wednesday.

“I’m bringing him up to Brisbane for a few runs up here in the next few weeks and we’ll have a much better guide on him then,” Grimson said.

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One of Australia’s top pacers Catch A Wave is close to a racetrack return.

Andy Gath’s winner of almost $2 million will trial at Melton on Tuesday as he prepares for the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on September 7.

Catch A Wave hasn’t raced since completing the Group 1 double – Nullarbor and Fremantle Cup – at Perth’s Gloucester Park in April.

“He’ll have a couple of runs before the Len Smith, the second of them may even be in a free-for-all at Menangle the week before it,” Gath said.

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Young WA star Never Ending justified favouritism for the $2.1mil TAB Eureka with another impressive Gloucester Park win last Friday night.

Trainer Justin Prentice did the driving himself again with Gary Hall Jr still suspended.

Never Ending showed his versatility by making an early move to sit parked and cruise to victory.

“I couldn’t be happier with his two runs (both wins) back this time,” Prentice said. “It was a good test of his maturity to come three-wide early and sit outside the leader, but settled well in the breeze and did it comfortably.”

Never Ending will head to Menangle early and tackle a 2300m free-for-all on August 24 as his final lead-up.

Another TAB Eureka contender Don Hugo further cemented his claims with a blistering win in last night’s Blacks A Fake Consolation.

In doing so, his 1min53.4sec mile rate for 2680m took 0.1sec off the track record Leap To Fame set in last year’s Inter Dominion final.