Also chasing a huge cash bonus

DOMINATING the spotlight with his $1million quest, Leap To Fame isn’t the only pacer chasing a massive bonus this weekend.

Engaged in Saturday night’s A G Hunter Cup in Melton, Leap To Fame will collect the mouth-watering amount on top of the $142,500 in stakes if triumphant in the Group One.

Harness Racing Victoria offered to pay $1million to the connections of any pacer which won four of six specific races.

One of those has to be the Hunter Cup.

Leap To Fame satisfied the ‘country cups’ aspect of the challenge with his victories in Ballarat, Cranbourne and Kilmore’s flagship events.

Over the border, top flight stallion Captains Knock will continue his march towards a seven-figure payday on Friday night.

Harness Racing New South Wales put $1million on the table for any pacer which completes a clean sweep of five Cups.

There is also a $500,000 bonus for any pacer which wins four and a $250,000 bonus for three wins.

Last year Swayzee secured $500,000 for connections by winning four of the five features during ‘Season 2’ of the Carnival of Cups.

With three wins – and $250,000 – to his credit, Captains Knock will press for ‘stage two’ of the bonus via the Murray Cup in Albury.

It was last season’s Murray Cup which proved Swayzee’s stumbling block when runner-up behind Captain Hammerhead.

To be driven by trainer Brad Hewitt, Captains Knock has drawn barrier eight, with his stablemate, Horn Player, in seven.

“He was always going to draw the second line under the preferential conditions,” Hewitt said. “At least from eight he is one off the pegs, so he can follow through and be in the running line.

“I’ll give him to settle into his stride and then look to put him into the race.

“I’m very happy with the way he is working and expect him to run another good race.”