The premier pacer in this part of the world, Leap To Fame, is on track to defend his Sportsbet A. G. Hunter Cup crown after a regulation win in the Casey Classic at Melton on Saturday night.

Grant Dixon allowed the six-year-old time to balance up before wresting the lead off Tact Mcleod inside the first 400 metres, with visiting Kiwi Republican Party working around to sit parked over the 2240 metres.

Tact Mcleod did his best to make a contest of the race in the straight and got to within a metre and a half of Leap To Fame ($1.04 fav) on the line as the champion reeled off a slick 26-second last 400 metres to record a mile rate of 1:52.6.

Dixon said he felt the need to keep Leap To Fame’s mind on the job after finding the lead.

“He seemed pretty good. He was probably a bit casual in front until I pulled the plugs out and got him back on the bit, but he was good on the line,” Dixon said.

Dixon was happy that the run will have the son of Bettors Delight at his peak for his Hunter Cup assignment.

“The other horse got close to me in the end, but he wasn’t going to let him past. I think the run will do him good for next week as he’s got to go to 2800 (metres) and it will do to sharpen him up a bit more,” he said.

Leap To Fame is the $1.50 favorite for next Saturday night’s Group 1 $250,000 Hunter Cup at Melton.

Emerging trotter Keayang Chucky gave his rivals a start and a beating with a stunning win in the Woodlands Stud Dullard Cup.

The Marg and Paddy Lee-prepared six-year-old blundered in the score up, settling 40 metres off the body of the field while his main danger Queen Elida worked to the lead mid race.

Jason Lee pulled Keayang Chucky four wide down the back, but was still giving Queen Elida 20 metres on straightening.

Keayang Chucky ($2.40 fav) unleashed a powerful finishing burst to reel in Queen Elida over the concluding stages and score by a metre and a half in a mile rate of 1:58.6.

Lee conceded Keayang Chucky’s manners offer a slight concern leading into next Saturday night’s Group 1 Yabby Dam Farms Great Southern Star.

“It’s great to win the race, but disappointed that we didn’t get it right early, and it’s going to make it hard for next week if we’re making costly mistakes like that. But all credit to him, he was super,” Lee said.

Keayang Chucky now finds himself out of the draw and Lee acknowledges a need to find a race or trial during the week to get the horse back in should he make next week’s final.

“It’s not an ideal preparation, but we’ve definitely got to look at it anyway,” he said.