Miracle Mile quest ramped up

QUEENSLAND superstar Leap To Fame will have his Miracle Mile quest ramped up this week.

Kept fresh since his Cranbourne Cup success a fortnight ago in preparation for the $1million Grand Circuit event, Leap To Fame is engaged in tomorrow night’s Newcastle Mile.

Not only does the provincial feature offer a $55,000 winning purse, the victor gains automatic entry into the $1million Garrards-sponsored sprint at Club Menangle on March 9.

“We targeted this race for a reason,” trainer Grant Dixon said. “It is two weeks after Cranbourne and two weeks before the Miracle Mile, so it fits in nicely.

“He has to get out there on Friday night and get the job done, but if he does, it will be ideal.

“If for some reason things don’t go his way, he can always go around in one of the qualifying sprints in Menangle next week.”

To be driven by Dixon, Leap To Fame has drawn barrier seven, but moves into five when the emergencies are taken out of the equation.

Chasing a 10th consecutive triumph, the son of Bettors Delight is a $1.35 TAB Fixed Odds favourite to continue his winning streak.

Completing a successful debut for training sensation Jason Grimson last week, Hot And Treacherous is the only other runner under double figures at $5.50 from gate eight.

“It is always nicer to draw closer to the pegs, but I’m not too fussed,” Dixon said. “He is in terrific form and condition and is going to be very hard to beat.”