RACE COMMENT

OVERVIEW: Battle four in the enthralling KINGMAN (8)-LEAP TO FAME (7) rivalry lands here in the Ballarat Pacing Cup, and what a contest it shapes to be thanks to an intriguing barrier draw. The ledger sits 3-0 in favour of Luke McCarthy’s brilliant five-year-old, who continued his dominance over Australasia’s richest ever pacer at Shepparton last weekend. Sure, he had the draw to lead and dictate in that race, but he came from behind and around LEAP TO FAME (7) to beat him in both the Victoria Cup and New Zealand Cup before that. He is the sole back row runner and will probably have to do the same again if he’s to defeat the Queensland hero, who despite being in gate seven, appears to have a map advantage on his key danger. Given he looks likely to work forward and lead, I’ll side with LEAP TO FAME (7) narrowly from KINGMAN (8), but without a great deal of confidence. BULLETPROOF BOY (5) is the defending champion and came off KINGMAN’s (8) back to beat him in the recent Bendigo Pacing Cup, so must not be overlooked. The old marvel is flying at the moment and could storm over the top of the favoured pair without surprising one little bit. The rest look place chances at best in what is sure to be another night to remember at the mighty Bray Raceway.