New sensation Rock N Roll Doo is set to bypass the Inter Dominion.

Trainer-driver Mick Stanley and owner Brendan James decided several weeks back if their young gun went to the NZ Cup, they wouldn’t tackle the Inter Dominion as well.

And not even his stunning, almost arrogant, Victoria Cup win last Saturday night seems to have changed that.

It makes sense. For all the prestige and glamour of the Inter Dominion, Rock N Roll Doo is still young, somewhat raw and has so many other lucrative and less taxing feature races options ahead of him.

Stanley’s conservatism with Rock N Roll Doo has already paid dividends when he bypassed the riches of the Queensland Constellations Carnival a few months ago.

“It’s very unlikely he’ll run in the Inter Dominion,” Stanley said. “He needs a break somewhere and that looks the most suitable time with so many big races next year for him.

“We’ve mapped out a plan where he goes to NZ, has his three runs over there, then comes back for a break before the Ballarat and Hunter Cups early next year.

“From there he’s got the Miracle Mile qualifier, the Miracle Mile itself and the Cambridge slot race … all worth terrific money.”

Stanley said Rock N Roll Doo had come through his Victoria Cup win exceptionally well.

“He was bouncing around the place at lunchtime Sunday. He’s pulled up amazingly well,” he said.

“He’s booked to fly to Auckland Thursday and that’s how I want it … getting across there nice and early to keep our options open.”

It’s almost a lock Rock N Roll Doo will go to the Ashburton Flying Stakes on October 24 as his lone NZ-based leap-run run to the NZ Cup.

“All going to plan, that’s where he will run, to get that standing-start practice under race conditions,” Stanley said.

“After that we have the option of the Cup ‘trial’ at Addington, but it’s more likely we skip that and just take him into Addington for a look around the track and a workout before the Cup itself.”

Stanley said he would stay by Rock N Roll Doo’s side the entire trip.

“Credit to Gen and the staff who will keep things ticking over at home for the month or so I’m away, but this is such a wonderful opportunity, not just for the horse but me as well,” he said.

“Brendan (James, owner) is trying to juggle things to come across for two or three weeks of it as well.”

What a difference a week makes and what a beast Leap To Fame is.

That’s the story of an epic and memorable Victoria Derby where Leap To Fame, driven in complete contrast to his sit-up and sprint home Derby heat, simply ground his rivals into submission at Melton last Saturday night.

Grant Dixon’s training genius was matched only by his brilliantly tactical and daring drive.

Catch me if you can … and they couldn’t.

Leap To Fame’s earning potential is monstrous over the next 12 months with races like the Breeders Crown, Breeders Challenge, Chariots Of Fire, Miracle Mile, Queensland winter majors and, of course, he’s now a clear favourite for the new $2.1 million Eureka on September 2, next year.

Retired trotting star Maori Law doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

Owner Fred Crews confirmed last year’s Inter Dominion champ had run his last race after the recurrence of a stress fracture.

A string of injuries and setbacks restricted Maori Law to just 64 starts across six-and-a-half years of racing, but he still managed 21 wins and 22 placings.

The old boy went out on top, too. His five starts this campaign netted a win and five seconds, including his final run when a fighting second in the Group 1 Australasian Trotting Championship on September 10.

It has been a huge weekend for Team Tritton with Lochinvar Art arriving at their upstate New York stables on Saturday (US time).

Shane Tritton confirmed the Hunter and Victoria Cup winner would be given a break and not race until February.

“It’s great to get him here so early. He doesn’t need to be right at his top until late March, so we can bring him up our way,” he said.

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.