Champion Australian pacer Leap to Fame will contest the $1 million Race of Champions at Cambridge Raceway tomorrow night and caught the plane over on Sunday with two other Aussie contenders.
Cambridge driver Zachary Butcher after winning on Merlin in the Race of Champions last year. Photo: Christine Cornegé.
Miracle Mile winner Don Hugo and Inter Dominion trotting winner The Locomotive accompanied the race favourite who hope to gatecrash Cambridge’s party night with victory in the fourth running of the lucrative slot race.
Stringent alcohol rules are in place following Cambridge Raceway’s recent appearance before the Waipā District Licensing committee.
Merlin driven by Zachary Butcher takes out the Race of Champions. Photo: Supplied
Driver Blair Orange celebrates as Copy That takes out the $1 million The Race, by Grins, Photo: Trish Dunell
Merlin, last year’s winner, is back in the 10-strong field driven again by Cambridge driver Zachary Butcher, part of Waikato harness racing’s royal family.
And punters on course will be hoping another legendary Cambridge driver will finally bring up a significant milestone. Nicky Chilcott has been stranded on 699 wins since early January when she drove Showtym Girl to victory at the Raceway.
She is competing in the Dorothy Cutts Invitational race for female drivers.
Nicky Chilcott drives Showtym Girl home at Cambridge Raceway for her 699th winner in the sulky. Photo: Angelique Bridson, Cambridge Raceway.
