Local pacing fans have a unique opportunity to be part of a historic journey at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club this month.
Queensland champion Leap To Fame is chasing what no horse has ever done – capture the Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile treble in the same season.
But, he’ll need to prevail in the $100,000 AVE Technologies Newcastle Mile on Friday 23 February to make that dream become a reality.
The impressive five-year-old, owned by harness racing “royalty” Kevin and Kay Seymour added the iconic $500,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup at Melton on Saturday night to his Inter Dominion crown in December.
Now, all eyes are focused on the Miracle Mile at Menangle on 9 March.
To qualify for the $1 million race, Seymour confirmed trainer/driver Grant Dixon’s plan is to race Leap To Fame in the Newcastle Mile, providing he pulls up well following next weekend’s Cranbourne Cup.
“I’d prefer to go to Newcastle, which gives us two weeks between it and the Miracle Mile,” Dixon said.
“It is better than going to the qualifying sprints just a week before the (Miracle) Mile.”
Leap To Fame’s Hunter Cup win was his 32nd from just 42 starts and takes him to $2,103,957 in earnings.
Newcastle Harness Racing Club general manager Kim Treweek admitted he was excited by the prospect of the popular pacer coming to town.
“The industry needs a superstar to capture the imagination of people,” he said.
“Leap To Fame has certainly done that.
“For him to potentially win the Newcastle Mile on his trek to the Miracle Mile is a real coup for our feature night.
“We’re confident the crowds will come out to support him in his quest to rewrite the history books.”
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