History against superstar
HISTORY is against superstar Leap To Fame ahead of tonight's Club Menangle meeting.
Engaged in the $1million Miracle Mile, Leap To Fame will attempt to become just the second to regain the title he lost.
Triumphant in 2024, Leap To Fame fell short during his defence when a metre-and-a-half second behind Don Hugo last year.
Since its inception in 1967 only former West Australian idol Village Kid has managed to recapture the Grand Circuit event following a defeat.
Two Miracle Miles were conducted at Harold Park in 1986, with Village Kid winning the January edition in 1:56.9 as Atashy Luck and Paleface Bubble filled the placings.
Returning east as the reigning champion in November, the son of Totara Valley was third behind Master Mood and My Lightning Blue in a race record 1:55.1.
In 1988 Village Kid created history as the first dual Miracle Mile star as he accounted for Happy Sunrise and Jay Bee's Fella.
A dispute between connections and the host club prevented Village Kid from defending his title once again in 1989.
According to trainer Bill Horn, this was due to a wrangle between the club and owner Gordon Cox over expenses, while Cox later declared Horn would not make the trip as he did not want to parade
Village Kid at the Rosehill races a week before the Miracle Mile.
Club General Manager, Peter V'Landys, said his club was desperately keen to have the champion at Harold Park for his defence of the Miracle Mile crown.
"It has been our basic firm policy not to subsidise any runner coming for the race. We don't want to set a precedent in Village Kid's case,'' V'Landys said.
In a bombshell development, the club announced Village Kid's Miracle Mile invitation had been withdrawn "due to the connection's inability to meet the conditions of the race."
V'Landys stated connections had contacted the club asking that Village Kid miss the parade and barrier draw at Rosehill, but directors voted against the proposal.
As for Leap To Fame's quest, he has drawn barrier five for trainer Grant Dixon, but slots into four with the removal of the emergencies.
Leap To Fame earned his position in the elite field by capturing last week's qualifier in 1:48.6 after working hard in the 'death seat'.
TAB Fixed Odds believe the son of Bettors Delight can achieve the feat and have him listed as a $2.30 favourite.
Despite making her Grand Circuit debut, Captains Mistress is the $3.40 second elect from three.
Sealing her berth in Australasia's premier sprint via her Chariots Of Fire success, Captains Mistress is aiming to become the first four-year-old mare on the honour roll.
Captains Mistress will also be just the fourth triumphant mare, following from Robin Dundee in the inaugural edition, Norms Daughter in 1996 and Baby Bling in 2013.
As for four-year-old winners, there are only five - Mount Eden, Westburn Grant, Christian Cullen, Have Faith In Me and Catch A Wave.
