New Zealand harness racing officials would have been delighted with the way champion pacer Leap To Fame cruised to the line in the Mimosa Homes Free For All at Melton on Saturday night.
Previous uncertainty surrounding the pacer’s trip across the Tasman to take his place in the biggest race day in this part of the world appears to have cleared.
In the aftermath of Leap To Fame’s comfortable victory over his nemesis from a fortnight ago Bulletproof Boy, trainer-driver Grant Dixon served notice that the $2 favorite for the New Zealand Trotting Cup was likely to face the starter.
“The main thing is how he pulls up. He felt the best this week the whole time he has been down here so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards,” Dixon said.
Dixon said there is always a sense of relief after a victory with Australasia’s best pacer.
“He loves a bit of distance and loves being in front and went through the line,” he said.
“So I’ll have a talk to Trista (Dixon) and Kevin and Kay (Seymour) and probably do a blood on him on Monday to make sure he’s pulled up good after that run and make the final decision then.”
Kate Gath too was upbeat about the effort of Catch A Wave following the pacer’s unplaced performance in last week’s Victoria Cup.
“I thought he was very good tonight,” Gath said.
“Last start he had such a good run and if he goes like he did tonight last week then it’s a very different story and he’s right in it.
“We’ve got to try and sort him out because when he’s behind the leader he doesn’t seem to like it. He was good tonight and he’s clearly going well, so we’ll press on.”
As expected, runners from the country’s dominant freshman stable of Emma Stewart fought out the finish of the Tatlow Stakes (2YO Fillies).
Ryan Sanderson on the $1.70 favorite Pre Eminant was allowed to dictate the terms of the race to suit himself, while stablemate Willows Girl was camped on her back. Pre Eminant reeled off a slick 26.6 last 400 metres, holding on to score by a head from Willows Girl with Delizioso a further 12 metres away third.
“She’s really lovely horse to drive and she’s got a great motor,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson, who is part of Team Stewart, knew Willows Girl would be hard to hold out.
“The one on our back is a really quality horse and she hit the sprint lane in full flight and made it a good race between the stablemates.
“We got home in 26.6 and you can’t get home much quicker.”
The Andy Gath-trained Imperial Command was rewarded for his consistency when he led all the way in the Yabby Dam Farms Trot.
As expected, the four-year-old showed his customary gate speed to comfortably find the front from his wide draw and stole a winning break around the home turn.
Gotfeelingsyouknow charged through late along the sprint lane, however Imperial Command held a half neck margin on the line.
The winner had been placed at his previous four starts at Melton since winning in August.
Gath said the former New Zealander showed more zest at the finish than previously.
“It’s great to be back in the winner’s list with him. I’ve been a touch disappointed with him the last few runs – he has run well, but just hasn’t had any zip the last little bit,” Gath said.
“Tonight we got a comfortable lead time, and I thought the longer trip might help, so we got rolling up the back straight as hard as we could. They got level with him on the bend, but he was too strong up the straight.”
