That’s what makes it exciting – Dixon

“A true champion can adapt to anything.” — Floyd Mayweather junior.

MEGASTAR Leap To Fame will certainly need to adapt to any scenario that comes in his way if he is to collect an Australian record bonus in Melton on Saturday night.

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

One of those has to be this weekend’s A G Hunter Cup.

Leap To Fame has satisfied the ‘country cups’ aspect of the challenge with his victories in Ballarat, Cranbourne and Kilmore’s flagship events, but faces a seemingly endless collection of obstacles in the ‘main event’.

Not only has the Grant Dixon-trained stallion drawn poorly in barrier six, two of his main rivals, including last season’s victor, have fared much better in gates one and two.

Widely-regarded as the ‘big winner’ of the draw, New Zealand raider Republican Party will begin from the pole, with Swayzee to come from gate two.

Last season Swayzee was sent forward from his second row draw to find the lead before running a track record to score by a head from Leap To Fame, which worked overtime in the ‘death seat’.

Given the way the draw has unfolded, it appears extremely likely the duo will undertake the same roles this time around.

Prepared for such a task, Dixon is keeping an open mind as to how the first 400 metres will unfold.

“We’ve had more difficult draws before, so we’ll see how it pans out early and what we have to do,” Dixon said. “Just looking at the draw and thinking about the first quarter, there are so many variations, that’s what makes it exciting.

“Republican Party can come out quickly and will be better for his run last week, whenever Swayzee has gotten ahead of us early we haven’t been able to reel him in and of course Kingman has a better record over us than anyone.

“Put all that together and anything can happen and probably will.

“Let’s not forget Emma (Stewart) has three in it, which are adjusting to this level, and being such a great trainer, her lot has to be kept in high regard.

“All I can say for certain, is I’m really happy with my bloke and he’s going into this at his peak.”