THE anticipation was high for the best pacer in Australasia – Queensland champion Leap To Fame in last Saturday nights $1,000,000 Grand Final over the marathon journey of 3157 metres.
An unbackable $1.20 favourite following two heat wins, trainer/driver Grant Dixon was unbelievably disappointed in the barrier draw (most trotting people would be in raptures), however according to him, the pole was not what he wanted and as many thought could be crossed at the start which did eventuate.
Quickly angling off the markers to race exposed after local Speak The Truth (gate three) and Don Hugo (gate six) both flew the start with Don Hugo and Luke McCarthy persisting to assume control and that he did, but not for long as Leap To Fame although a fair way off the leaders when given his head, cruised to the front in the back straight on the first occasion and that was virtually the end of the race.
Loping along at his leisure, Leap To Fame in quarters of 30.5, 29.9, 26.6 and 26.5 after a lead time from the gate of 117.5 seconds, gave his rivals the slip on turning to record an easy 8.4 metre margin in advance of Speak The Truth who battled on courageously, with rank outside Cya Art at odds of $71.00 after $151 had been bet using the sprint lane for third a half neck back fourth. The mile rate 1-57.7.
A 6Y0 stallion by Bettor’s Delight from Lettucereason bred by Redbank Lodge Standardbreds and raced by Kevin and Kay Seymour’s Solid Earth Pty Ltd, Leap To Fame by winning became the greatest standardbred in the Southern Hemisphere taking his earnings to $4,630,884 from 56 wins and 11 placings in only 59 race appearances.
Romsey Celebrates
Victoria held a big hand in the $500,000 I-D Trotting Grand Final over the same trip with two of the favourites Arcee Phoenix (gate one – Chris Svanosio) and Parisian Affair (gate three – Tayla French) both being drawn inside the unbeaten Kiwi Bet N Win (gate four) throughout the heats and it would have been a huge night in the NSW town of Finlay as the winner Arcee Phoenix is owned by many of the residents.
Arcee Phoenix was almost crossed as the start was effected by Bet N Win, but was able to retain the lead with Bet N Win (Bob Butt) immediately dropping to his back and with no pressure being applied apart from Not As Promised (gate five) which went forward mid-race to sit quietly outside him, had everything his own way.
Kicking clear on the final bend, Arcee Phoenix a 6Y0 Trixton-Justa Phoenix gelding scored by 8.4 metres in advance of Bet N Win which which tried valiantly. Old stager Oscar Bonavena (gate five second line) came from near last in the final circuit five wide on turning for third a long neck back a nose in front of Gus (extreme draw) which followed up London To A Brick (gate four second line) up three wide in the last lap with Parisian Artiste (one/one – three wide to outside the winner approaching the home turn) to join the winner. Both Parisian Artiste and Gus momentarily locked wheels at some stage on turning.
In quarters of 31.3, 30.5, 27.7 and 27.5 after a lead time of 120 seconds, Arcee Phoenix returned a mile rate of 2-00.8.
** In what was a great night for Chris, 6Y0 Chapter Seven-Model Behavier mare Aldebaran Acrux paid for her trip by winning the 2680 metre (Group 3) 2025 Prydes Easifeed Trotting Free For All in a mile rate of 1-58.8 accounting for Eurokash and Taylad To Use.
The Inter Dominion returns to Albion Park again in 2026 for the next two years.