Kevin and Kay Seymour have learned in more than 50 years of racing horses not to get too excited, but Grant Dixon’s star Leap To Fame has bent that rule a little this year.
The Bettor’s Delight three-year-old will be out to add the NSW Breeders Challenge Final at Menangle on Saturday to the haul of three Derbies he has won already, before everything for him will be focused on the $2 million Eureka.
Triple Derby hero Leap To Fame will finish his season in the NSW Breeders Challenge Final at Menangle on Saturday night.
“Grant just told us he is the best horse he has ever had,” Kevin Seymour said. “And I think he has shown that in the NSW, Queensland and Victoria derbies.
“When you have a horse like him, you can dream big.
“At the start of the year I wanted him to win the three derbies, and he did it. It takes a good one to do that, and it has been amazing.”
The Seymours hold a slot in The Eureka, which is the world’s richest harness race.
“You are always trying not to get too excited, but it’s hard with him,” Seymour said. “The dream now is to win The Eureka, and Grant is planning for that starting on Saturday night.”
Leap To Fame will have to contend with a wide draw in the Breeders Challenge Final, where he is the $1.50 favourite, but it will give him another look at the roomy Menangle track where the Eureka will be run next September.
“They gave us the visitors draw, and are just hoping he can overcome it,” Seymour said. “You can’t take a horse like him for granted, and he will have to be very good to win from out there, but to be honest he is expected to win.”
Seymour has left in Dixon’s hands how to get Leap To Fame back to Menangle next September. The trainer-driver already has a plan, which will see him miss some of the biggest races in the country to be at his peak.
“Ever since Grant told us how good he was, he has been managing him. We wanted to win the three derbies and he achieved that,” Seymour said.
“But Grant said he can’t win everything because he wants him to be around for a long time. We have a slot in The Eureka, so that’s colouring any decision.
“We have decided to run him in this race and miss the Breeders Crown next month and the Chariots Of Fire next year. It will give him the best chance to win The Eureka.
“It means he can have a good break and Grant will have him at his top for the Rising Sun up here in Queensland and then The Eureka at Menangle, if all goes to plan.”
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.
