Queensland Constellations: Blacks A Fake preview

By Ken Warren 

Brisbane’s new pin-up boy Leap To Fame will have to come from the back row if he is to complete a clean sweep of the Queensland Constellations carnival and win Saturday’s Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park.
The local star is gunning for his third Group 1 win in as many weeks and to add to an eight-race winning streak that began last October.

The Grant Dixon-trained and driven four-year-old dominated his own age group in The Rising Sun a fortnight ago before breaking new ground with his first open age Group 1 win in last week's Sunshine Sprint.

It was that performance that confirmed his stardom when he drew wide and settled back in the field before surging home in the straight to defeat many of the same rivals he'll face on Saturday.

He won his only try at this distance so the step up should suit and while he starts from the second line he draws behind a likely leader so should get a trail into the race.

The key will be finding clear air and if Dixon can achieve that Leap To Fame can cart him to the biggest of local trophies.

His biggest danger could be his half-brother and the horse he will follow out of the mobile - Swayzee. 

The Blacks A Fake is a step up for Swayzee but he is flying having won all five starts since joining Jason Grimson.

The stable is confident and the draw gives him the chance to upstage his sibling.

Spirit Of St Louis pushed Leap To Fame when second from this same draw last week.

He strikes at 50 per cent at this distance and was runner up in this race last year so must be rated as a player.

Hot And Treacherous was drawn much wider when placed at big odds last week. He is going well so respect him from the ace.

If Mach Dan can enjoy a touch of luck from the back row he is good enough to get into the finish.

Boom colt The Lost Storm is dominating Queensland Derby betting after he sent his rivals a big warning in his first Albion Park appearance last week, working forward to find the front before clearing out to cruise home by 18 metres. 

An exciting member of the powerhouse Emma Stewart and Clayton Tonkin team, he is building an imposing strike rate and should only be better again third up.

The Lost Storm already has one big win at Group 1 level under his belt having spanked his rivals in last season's Vicbred Super Series Final at Melton and he and looks set to add another.

On Deadline has risen through the ranks in good style this campaign, collecting his fourth successive win when toughing it out in the South East Derby here last time.

Draws wider and tackles a smart one but winning form is hard to knock so he can be in the finish.

Dougs Platter has been good in his two attempts at this circuit, winning two back before placing in the South East Derby.

He deserves respect as does Naturally Gifted who was a nose off On Deadline last time and while he comes from the back row he drew there when winning and placing in his other two starts this time in.

Visiting New South Wales fillies look likely to be fighting out the finish of the Queensland Oaks.

Jewel Melody worked forward to find the front and dug deep to land the South East Oaks last start, taking her record at this circuit to four wins and two placings from six attempts.

She draws wider but won her lone try at this distance. She is reliable and in form so she can deliver again.

Peaceful hasn't placed in her two Queensland outings but was only 2.7 metres off Jewel Melody last start.

She defeated that rival to win the NSW Gold Bullion Final three back as part of a string of wins and placings in Sydney. Her best is good enough to win.

Tin Tin Jo continues to race well with a string of top-three finishes. She headed north off a Menangle win and has placed in her two starts here since, last time getting within a head of Jewel Melody in the South East Oaks. She must be respected.

No Dramas was held up last time and has won a trial since. She is drawn to get a trail so could be dangerous while NSW Oaks winner Windy Hill Tara is first up but goes well fresh and was readied with two trials so keep her safe.

The trotters will also be chasing Group 1 glory earlier on the program in the Queensland Cup where visitor Doff Your Cap could be ready to show his best.

He has been ticking over well in Sydney, placing in all three starts this time in and put the writing on the wall when he went under by just a nose at Menangle last week.

That will have brought him to peak fitness fourth up and with even luck from the back row he could be ready to strike.

Adelle got back from a similar draw last week but kept chasing for third, continuing a run of wins and placings.

She is in fine form and loves this longer distance with three wins and two placings from six attempts. She won't be easy to beat.

Majestic Trio brings winning form from Menangle, leading and digging deep to score last time out. That form has been franked and she is well drawn so expect her to make an impact.

Sugarinspice draws wider this time but made it back-to-back wins when leading throughout in last week's Group 3 Trotters Sprint so must be respected while Van Sank broke when fresh in that race but is capable and could be a big improver with that outing under the belt.