Leap To Fame primed for toughest test yet in NZ Cup showdown
Adam Hamilton • November 9th, 2025 5:44 PM • 3 min read
After his most turbulent campaign yet, owner Kevin Seymour insists Australasia’s all-time richest pacer is primed to beat the Kiwis on their home deck in Tuesday’s $NZ1million NZ Cup at Addington.
Importantly, Seymour revealed there were reasons for Leap To Fame’s two consecutive defeats at Melton last month, including a well-held third in the Victoria Cup on October 18.
“He wasn’t quite right for a couple of weeks. He had some niggles, a bit like last year with his throat, but it wasn’t as bad,” he said.
Leap To Fame had a throat infection last year which derailed his NZ Cup and Sydney Inter Dominion campaigns.
“It was minor this time and a credit to Grant he was able to get on top of it,” Seymour said.
“We certainly had moments where the trip (NZ) was in doubt because we’ve never taken any risk with this horse and never will.
“That’s why Grant gave him that third run at Melton. He felt Larry (Leap To Fame’s stable name) had turned the corner, but wanted to test him in a race.”
Leap To Fame won easily, looked sharp and came through the run well.
“That’s when we locked in the trip. That’s what Grant needed to see,” Seymour said.
“Everything has been positive since then. Grant was thrilled with a strong workout he gave him just before leaving for NZ (last weekend).
“He took a day or so to settle in after the flights (to Christchurch), but Grant’s been so upbeat since then.
“Everything points to him being back to his best and he’ll need to be in a race like this.
”Seymour admits this race is Leap To Fame’s biggest test yet.
“It’s the strongest field he’s been in with so many good horses,” he said. “It’s a standing-start, which he hasn’t had a lot of experience at, and it’s a long way from home.
“There’s no doubt they’re coming for him. Kingman has emerged, Republican Party has gone to another level and I was really impressed with Merlin (winning at Kaikoura) last week.
“They’ll all be out to make us earn it, but he’s a champion because he’s overcome so many challenges before and he’s back to his best again for this one.
“It’s just great to finally be in the race. Even as an Aussie, you’d have to say this is the biggest harness race in this part of the world.
“We’ve watched Swayzee win the past two and really wanted to give it a crack ourselves, now we get our chance.”
Despite his indifferent campaign, Leap To Fame is a commanding $1.60 favourite.
How well Leap To Fame steps away from the standing start will be important. He’s won his only two standing start races, but they have been off handicaps and he has stepped safely, but not quickly.
Republican Party and Merlin boast much more standing start experience and have drawn inside Leap To Fame.
The other Aussie in the Cup is Kingman, who hasn’t raced since beating Leap To Fame in the Victoria Cup.
He’s drawn wide on the front row and this will be his first standing-start race and is $8 third favourite.
