EMERGING superstar Kingman capped an Aussie dominance of NZ’s biggest raceday with a mind-blowing win in the iconic $NZ1 million NZ Cup at Addington.
One of the “babies” of the field at just four, the Luke McCarthy-trained Kingman sustained a huge three-wide run to outstay fellow Aussie superstar Leap To Fame in a slogging finish.
McCarthy, who also drove Kingman, described it as “as big a NZ Cup win as you’d ever see.”
And he warned Kingman would only keep improving.
“Wasn’t he something else? And he’s still getting better. He’s still goofy and learning what it’s all about,” he said.
“He’s something very special, this horse. I said it after the Victoria Cup (last month) and he’s gone to another level here today.
McCarthy, one of the sport's most decorated drivers who has also won at the highest level in the US, said the NZ Cup win was up with his greatest moments.
“It’s right there with anything. It has to be. The stage, the work he did, the way he won. I’m in awe of him,” he said.
“What makes this so awesome is that it’s sort of come out of nowhere. It wasn’t a target, we only decided to come a few weeks ago when he won the Victoria Cup.”
NSW owner-breeder Mick Harvey said the win was the highlight of his long career owning harness and thoroughbreds.
“I had so many great moments with those three Miracle Miles and two Hunter Cups with King Of Swing, but this horse is extra special because he’s my first born … the first horse I bred,” he said.
“He’s always shown enormous potential, but he’s needed time to mature and now it’s all come together in these past few months.
“He’s a freak, this horse. He’s getting better and better and better. Luke said beating Leap To Fame in the Victoria Cup wasn’t a fluke and he certainly proved that today.”
Kingman continued Australia’s recent dominance in NZ’s biggest race after Swayzee won the previous two for NSW trainer Jason Grimson.
