Across the Ditch: Feature racing on full display
Across the Ditch • September 26th, 2025 2:48 PM • 4 min read
Harness Racing — Adam Hamilton
There is some terrific Aussie racing this weekend, but it’s the trials which have taken centre stage.
Superstar pacers, arch-rivals and siblings Leap To Fame and Swayzee both shaped-up for racetrack returns with trials at Albion Park and Menangle respectively.
Swayzee, who is chasing a record-equalling third successive IRT NZ Trotting Cup win, has been freshened-up since a first-up sixth when only beaten a length-and-a-half, in the Gr.1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle on September 6.
He trialled over a mile at Menangle on Wednesday and will now head back for a lead-up race or two before returning to Melton to try and successfully defend his Gr.1 Victoria Cup crown on October 18.
That’s where Leap To Fame is heading, too.
Grant Dixon’s champion made his first public appearance since snaring his second Inter Dominion title at Albion Park on July 19 when he trialled at Albion Park on Thursday.
Dixon conceded the timing most likely only allowed Leap To Fame to have one race before the Victoria Cup.
As big as the Victoria Cup is, for Kiwis it will really only serve as a “pointer” race to the iconic $1mil NZ Trotting Cup on November 11.
Leap To Fame ($1.60) and Swayzee ($5) dominate early TAB fixed odds betting on the great race.
Also stepping out in a crucial Aussie trial this week was freakish young Aussie trotting mare, Keayang Zahara, who showed she was ready to resume racing at the Terang trials on Tuesday night.
Keayang Zahara created a storm with three monstrous wins at Addington late last year, including the inaugural Ascent, and remains a chance to return for the big trotting double, the Dominion and Free-For-All, during Cup Week this year.
Staying on the trotting ranks and three of the other Aussie stars headed for Addington – Arcee Phoenix, Parisian Artiste and Gus – all clash in a tantalising Menangle Trotters’ Cup on Saturday night.
Arcee Phoenix is the lone backmarker off 30m at his first start since winning the Inter Dominion final at Albion Park on July 19.
Gus and Parisian Artiste, who ran fourth and fifth respectively in that Inter Dominion final, have a handicap advantage this week off just 10m.
The other key player is Australia’s most improved trotter, Im Bobby, who is going for his eighth successive win for hobby trainer Eddie Tappe and with Amanda Turnbull in the sulky.
Thoroughbred Racing — Nick Quinn
Co-trainer Troy Corstens is hoping that another good performance from Baraqiel on Friday night will see him gain a start in the $20,000,000 Everest at Randwick on October 18.
Corstens is upbeat about his runner heading into Friday’s Gr.1 Manikato Stakes where he is a $4.50 second elect.
“I am not too worried about gate 7, we drew gate 10 in the Moir and came into gate 8 after the scratchings, so probably similar, I don’t think the speed will be as hot but I will leave the tactics up to jockey Ben Allen."
Baraqiel suffered a hind suspensory injury before he had raced, which delayed his debut until his five-year-old season and after finishing third in the Meteorite, he suffered another similar injury, this time to a front leg.
The sprinter did his rehabilitation at the stable’s ‘farm’ at Benalla and took advantage of the hyperbaric chamber to aid his recovery.
Baraqiel has had 12 career starts for 8 wins and 3 placings and has collected $1,128,025 in prizemoney.
Lady Shenandoah will make her Melbourne debut after a brilliant start to her career in Sydney, which produced three Group One wins as a three year-old.
She was successful in the Flight Stakes ($3.10), Surround Stakes ($1.30) and Coolmore ($2.60)
The much loved front running mare has firmed from $7 into $5, but it is Treasurethe Moment heading the market as she looks for a 10th straight win.
