Arrogant victory sends notice

JUST 24 hours after Queensland superstar Leap To Fame had onlookers in awe, a potential opponent has issued a statement.

Making the long journey to Tamworth on Thursday, Leap To Fame registered a track record 1:54.3 over a mile to capture a New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge heat.

Trained and driven by Grant Dixon, the three-year-old slashed eight-tenths of a second from the previous record.

Set to progress to the next round of the futurity, Leap To Fame is also on target to tackle the Victoria Derby in a bid to complete a clean sweep of the east coast Blue Ribands.

Leap To Fame secured the New South Wales Derby at Club Menangle in March before proving too good in his home state’s edition on July 23.

Australia’s oldest classic, the Victoria Derby is scheduled to be run at Tabcorp Park Melton on October 8.

Making his debut for Emma Stewart in Ballarat last night, Captain Ravishing announced himself as a serious Derby contender with an arrogant victory.

Driven by Mark Pitt, Captain Ravishing led throughout in 1:59.2 over 2200 metres.

Although the three-year-old’s time isn’t overly impressive, he covered the last quarter in a breath-taking 25.1 seconds to score by 36-and-a-half metres.

Earlier this year, at just his second start, the Australian Pacing Gold purchase established a Tabcorp Park Melton aged record 1:52.5 over 1720 metres.

“There is a lot to like about him,” Stewart said. “He hasn’t stopped impressing us since he got here and is still on the way up.

“Last night was just the blowout he needed and he is bound to improve next time around.”