Across the Ditch: Leap To Fame launches Cup bid as Waller Eyes Turnbull glory
Across the Ditch • October 3rd, 2025 12:37 PM • 3 min read
Harness Racing - Adam Hamilton
While most of the star Kiwis are well into their IRT NZ Trotting Cup preparations, the favourite is just launching his on Saturday night.
In contrast to his Kiwi rivals, Leap To Fame only had a short break after winning his second Brisbane Inter Dominion final on July 19.
Leap To Fame may go into the NZ Cup on November 11 with just two lead-up races.
After Saturday night, where he should be untroubled to beat just five rivals, Leap To Fame will go straight to the $250,000 Gr.1 Victoria Cup at Melton on October 18.
Trainer-driver Grant Dixon is yet to finalise plans beyond that, except that his champ will be flown from Melbourne to Auckland, rather than return to his Tambourine base outside Brisbane.
Depending on when that flight is, the door could be open for one lead-up race in NZ before the Cup, given it is 24 days between the Victoria and NZ Cups.
What looks most likely is that Leap To Fame will contest the traditional Cup Trial at Addington six days ahead of the big one.
As much fun as it would be, Dixon has ruled out racing him around Kaikoura.
In preparation for his return, Leap To Fame had a standing start trial at Albion Park last Thursday.
Taking on trotters, he stepped away well and won by 140m.
It proved nothing but was valuable standing start practice given he won’t have a chance for any more in Australia ahead of the standing-start NZ Cup.
“He’s ready to go. He didn’t have that long out after the Inter Dominion, it was more a freshen-up,” Dixon said.
“It’ll be good to get this run into him before Victoria and then we’ll finalise plans for NZ.”
In other Kiwi-related news, Inter Dominion trotting winner Arcee Phoenix will continue his preparation for Addington when he runs at Melton on Saturday night.
The six-year-old returned with a sound sixth off a daunting 30m handicap in a strangely run 2300m handicap at Menangle last Saturday night.
He’s sure to be fitter, stretches out to a more suitable 2760m and gets to a 20m handicap in the Gr.3 Australasian Trotting Championship at Melton.
It will still be an interesting test against flying mare Jilliby Ballerini, the exciting Derek The Jet and Keayang Stuka, who are all off the front mark.
On the same card, eight-time Group One winner Catch A Wave gets his chance to return to winning form from an ideal draw (gate two) in the $30,000 Casey Classic (2240m).
Thoroughbred Racing - Nick Quinn
A huge weekend of Group One action across Flemington and Randwick.
Star New Zealand trainer Chris Waller has five runners in Saturday’s Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes with Via Sistina, Aeliana, River Of Stars, Land Legend and Moira.
Waller has won six of the past 10 editions of the race with five quinella’s and looks a big chance to add to that record this year.
In Sydney he also has the unbeaten rising star Autumn Glow in the Epsom as she looks to extend her winning streak to seven.
One punter is keen on her with a bet of $4000 at $2.25 and his hand looks even stronger in the Metropolitan with the top three in the market Soul Of Spain, Birdman and Travolta.
After a terrific three run campaign that resulted in victories in the Carlyon Stakes, Gr.1 Moir Stakes and runner-up in the Gr.1 Manikato Stakes, Baraqiel is off for a spell.
Co trainer Troy Corstens said he is in great order after a week at the beach and recovery and is heading for a spell a happy and healthy horse.
The autumn campaign has not been locked in but the target races will be the Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 21 and the William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on March 21.
