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2025 Inter Dominion final draw: Leap To Fame draws one, Don Hugo in six

Not even the worst possible barrier draw should stop champion pacer Leap To Fame from winning a second Inter Dominion pacing final at Albion Park next Saturday night. Trainer-driver Grant Dixon initially shook his head in disbelief when Leap To Fame drew gate one, after having barrier eight (inside the back row) in both qualifying heats. 'Most horses would love the pole, but it's the one draw we didn't want,' he said. That's because Leap To Fame has only average early gate speed and, if he's crossed at the start, traffic and luck in running become a potential issue in the $1 million race. But Dixon's initial look at the rivals drawn on the front row eased his frustration somewhat. 'It's not a really fast front row. There's nothing explosive, who looks certain to get across us,' he said. 'I think we're a chance to hold up and lead. That's what I'll be trying to do anyway. 'At least it's a real staying race (3157m) so if he is crossed, we've got plenty of time to find some clear air.' Leap To Fame will start the shortest-priced Inter Dominion favourite in history, but did ease from $1.10 to $1.25 after drawing the pole. The six-year-old hasn't been beaten at Albion Park since November 4, 2023. He's won 20 successive races at the track since. Just as he did in the 2023 Brisbane Inter Dominion, Leap To Fame is aiming for a clean sweep after winning all his qualifying heats. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Pacers Heat 5 ðŸ�† “HE’S PLAYING CHESS, THE OTHERS ARE PLAYING CHECKERS!â€� LEAP TO FAME blitzes them. Bring on Grand Final Night! ðŸ'� 🤩 #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 Leap To Fame missed last year's Sydney Inter Dominion through illness, which paved the way for Don Hugo to win. Don Hugo then upset Leap To Fame in the Miracle Mile on March 8, but Leap To Fame has beaten him in all three other clashes, including last Saturday night's heat when Don Hugo had a torrid run and tired for seventh. Don Hugo has gate six and loads of early speed, but will trainer-driver Luke McCarthy dare to unleash him over an untried marathon distance? Leap To Fame is one of three finalists for Dixon. His wife Trista will drive Aroda (gate 13) and Jack Chapple will partner Tims A Trooper (gate eight). Queensland trainer Shannon Price said 'ask me Thursday' who stable driver Adam Sanderson would partner out of Speak The Truth (gate three) and Sure Thing Captain (12). ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Pacers Heat 6 ðŸ�† @shannon_raboki ’s SPEAK THE TRUTH fends off a wall of challengers to claim the final Pacing Heat of the series! A clean sweep for the Queenslanders at @TheCreekAlbion ðŸ'° #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 Menangle trainers Kerry Ann and Robbie Morris also have two runners, Cya Art (gate four) and old marvel Petes Said So, who will contest his fourth consecutive Grand Final at his 215th start. Victorian star Catch A Wave drew outside the front (gate seven) and is a $21 shot. The $500,000 trotting final is a lot more open with Victorian star Arcee Phoenix firming from $4 to $2.50 after snaring gate one, while young Kiwi star Bet N Win, who won both his heats, is $3.50 second elect from gate five. Other big guns London To A Brick (gate 11), Oscar Bonavena (12) and Gus (13) are all out the draw and had to start from wide on the back row. ðŸ�† ID25 Round 2 - Trotting Heat 3 ðŸ�† BET N WIN simply too good! He finds cover the trip and explodes late to score his second ID25 Heat win, remaining undefeated at @TheCreekAlbion for the White barn! ðŸ'¥ #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 INTER DOMINION GRAND FINAL DRAWS PACERS Front row: Leap To Fame, Rakero Rebel, Speak The Truth, Cya Art, Petes Said So, Don Hugo, Catch A Wave. Back row: Nyack (emerg), Captains Knock, Tims A Trooper, Max Delight, Sure Thing Captain, Aroda. Here’s your final leaderboard for the @ladbrokescomau 2025 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship! ðŸ�† #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025 TROTTERS Front row: Arcee Phoenix, Love Gun, Sir Fahrenheit (emerg), Parisian Artiste, Bet N Win, Not As Promised, Golden Sunset. Back row: Constantinople, Harry Stamper, Zealous Spur, London To A Brick, Oscar Bonavena, Gus. Here’s your final leaderboard for the @ladbrokescomau 2025 Inter Dominion Trotting Championship! #QLDisRacing — RaceQ (@RaceQLD) July 12, 2025