Archie raved about Leap to Fame, he’ll tell ya he has too but when or if Merlin ever came to Bris Vegas he’d have a freaking heart attack and would probably miss the race from his ICU bed. No sky channel in here Mr Butterly.
I’m off my point already. The Sunshine Sprint is a ripper for more reasons than just getting some really good horses in the one race.
Let’s look at this with a straight bat (without being cynical).
Betterzipit is the Nullarbor winner and draws the cherry with options galore but I can’t see winning. Not saying he can’t win. It’ll certainly be trying and has the advantage of having an Interdom winner who also has options. Now to say the two best drawn horses in the most improved stable in the land won’t win is open for criticism.
I really can’t see blacksadance winning but I’m sure Pete will have a serious look for the lead. I don’t think it would matter. Magnificent wasn’t so magnificent last start and surely won’t do anything stupid with his grand final next week.
Expensive ego is a really good horse. Is he past it or still as good as he ever was? He might be but just doesn’t have an edge on these rivals. I think he has to go back and mind his own business and have a go next week is my take on him.
I’ll leap the next horse and come back to him. Hot and T, sorry no hope despite racing in career best form. Mach Dan is a hope. All be it only a slim hope and really only because of the draw. If all hell were to rain down and madness ensued he will be storming home. Turn it up? Nah not for me but draws to mind his own business early and see what he’s got against this mob.
Spirit is going good but will be 3 and 4 wide whenever he makes move and might never get into it. There’s a chance he gets the 3 wide trail behind leap but going past all these horses I don’t see it.
Pete is going as well as he’s ever gone and he’s actually drawn perfectly to do what he does so well if he doesn’t get run into the outside fence around the home turn.
Back to the original question posed. Who is the best? Well in this race I have no doubt. Leap to Fame is the best horse. I was surprised he is running this week because with the BlakesaFake next weekend I didn’t think he needs to but maybe even I have underestimated him as me saying I think he could be the best we will ever see.
The fact is he’s in it and will not take a step back. He will push and push and I honestly believe he’ll run this very good field into the ground. No way Dixon will second guess his decision to run. He will go into knowing he could sit three wide the journey and still win.
Does that make him the best? Well the best in that race but it’ll be the first time he’s beaten the older horses in group 1 territory. There’s a horse from Melbourne that’s won debatably the biggest race in Australia, over the sprint journey. Catch a Wave has to hold the title at the moment in my mind. Sure they haven’t met yet but no one can deny after smashing the much hyped Captain Ravishing on his merits in the chariots he beat the best available in the Miracle Mile.
I don’t know who’s better out of these two great horses. It could be the best race Australia has ever put on for I dunno how long this Eureka if it holds up.
For now though, Leap to Fame has to win. I think it does. I hope it does because it will guarantee this sport is in the spotlight for all the right reasons.