Brilliant colt joins elite fraternity

BRILLIANT Queensland colt Leap To Fame joined a select fraternity with his success at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.

By claiming the Victoria Derby in stylish fashion the Australian Pacing Gold purchase completed a rare clean sweep of the east coast Derbys.

Beginning with New South Wales’ Blue Riband at Club Menangle in March, Leap To Fame then secured his home state’s classic in July.

Thanks to his triple treat, Leap To Fame became just the fourth pacer to achieve the feat.

The trio have been run simultaneously since the Queensland Derby was introduced to the racing calendar in 1969.

Paleface Adios was the first to collect all three in 1973 before Courage Under Fire followed suit in 1999.

Captain Joy became the third after dominating his age group in 2009.

“He is a very special horse,” trainer Grant Dixon said. “He ticks all the boxes as he has speed, stamina, a clean gait and is versatile.

“To win three Derbys is a terrific effort, especially given it is seven months between the first and third which makes for a long season.”

With Dixon in the cart Leap To Fame led throughout from barrier five as Ripp and Interest Free filled the placings in what was an APG trifecta.

Rating 1:54.4 over 2760 metres, the son of Bettors Delight stretched his record to 15 wins and five placings from 21 starts for earnings of $416,412.

To be given a “few easy days” Leap To Fame will then be primed for the balance of the New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge.

The three-year-old won a heat of the futurity before arriving in Victoria.