Harness
Inter Dominion Finals Preview – Saturday, 19th July 2025
A tricky inside draw looks the only realistic threat to Leap To Fame’s bid for a second Inter Dominion pacing crown at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The local superstar made a clean sweep of the series the last time the Inter Dominion was held in Brisbane and is a raging favourite to do it again after dominating his two heats.
His price did ease slightly and his rivals were given a faint glimmer of hope when the champ drew the number one marble, a barrier that would be relished by most but not a horse who isn't known for his early speed.
Being locked away on the pegs is considered by many to be the only way Leap To Fame loses this race and it is a possible scenario if he is crossed early.
But it is a challenge trainer/driver Grant Dixon has faced and overcome many times given his charge's uncanny knack of drawing on the pegs including both heats of this series where he drew on the inside of the back row but still managed dominant wins.
Like most in this field Leap To Fame is untried over the 3157m distance but his trademark toughness and stamina suggest he will relish it with the marathon journey giving him time to not only extract from the pegs but also break the hearts of his rivals.
His Albion Park record stands at a phenomenal 38 from 44 and he looks to only need clear air to further etch his name into the record books.
Defending Inter Dominion champion Don Hugo came into this series as Leap To Fame's main rival but a last-start head scratcher has left him as a question mark.
He kicked off the series in fine form, overcoming a second row barrier to win his first heat but failing from a seemingly ideal draw last week.
Trainer/driver Luke McCarthy will no doubt have him peaking for Saturday night and if the real Don Hugo steps up he could still make a race of it.
Captains Knock won two heats of this series last year and has been very good again, coming from wide barriers for second in both rounds. He draws for a soft run on the pegs and if the luck presents can get into the trifecta.
Speak The Truth gets the same draw he had when he led to win last week so could give a sight while evergreen veteran Max Delight placed in last year's final and is tough enough to get into the first four over the marathon journey.
The gelding led throughout for a dominant win in round one then showed some versatility last week, handing up the lead before using the sprint lane and finishing hard to score by 3.5m.
That stretched his unbeaten record at Albion Park to three and he left New Zealand following a Group 1 Rowe Cup win over 3200m so the distance holds no fears.
Arcee Phoenix firmed into favouritism after drawing gate one and has been building nicely through the series so should be hitting his peak fourth up.
He started on the back row and worked when runner-up last week and draws for a soft run.
He looks to have a real sense of timing so is a huge chance.
Gus isn't the most reliable of trotters but has been the eye catcher in steaming home to place from similar barriers in both rounds of the series so far. If he gets it right on the big night he could blow them away.
Last week's heat winner Parisian Artiste is very honest and placed in his only try at the distance range. He draws to be competitive.
Little has gone to plan in this series for the other Kiwi raider Oscar Bonavena but he has the talent to win with his A-game.
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