In another great match race, Kingman and Leap To Fame only had three rivals, but it was the draw on the barrier that was the key factor, with Kingman taking pole and Leap To Fame finishing in three.
Kingman showed brilliant early speed to lead and Leap To Fame could do little to avoid being left off the leader. Early on, Grant Dixon tried to get in for a run behind Kingman, but Luke McCarthy was able to keep him one wide.
Ultimately, Dixon managed to secure the place behind the leader as they made their way with just over a lap to go.
Sensing an epic battle, the packed crowd roared their encouragement as they left the field at the final turn. Leap To Fame pulled away to run but McCarthy let Kingman run his final quarter in 27.2 seconds and he moved away from Leap To Fame who tried his best but found Kingman too strong that night. Our Luciano came third at 45 meters.
KINGMAN JANUARY 17 REPEAT
Kingman ran 1.53.7 for the 2690 meters, which was almost two seconds faster than the time of 1.55.6 that Spirit Of St Louis set about four years ago.
Luke McCarthy pointed out that Kingman was a different horse to the one that competed in the Bendigo Cup last week.
As I said in the press: forget last week’s run, we had an unusual week with the fires and the heat. He had a lovely week thanks to Nathan Jack and Rusty and his whole team for looking after him. He felt great tonight and went accordingly. When Grant went up strong early, he actually got a little excited. Once Grant fell onto my back, he relaxed a little. But he is a super horse.
He had a great 2025, hopefully he can have an even greater 2026.
All credit to HRV and all clubs for using that bonus to attract horses like Kingman and Leap To Fame. He will now be in Victoria for the entire Victoria Carnival, up to and including the Hunter Cup.
He is next to them, I have been lucky to have many champion horses. You can only consult their details and what he has done. He won the New Zealand Cup and now he’s coming out with the Shepparton Cup, it’s a big sensation.
It is logical that after the Victoria Carnival the Miracle Mile Carnival will follow with these top horses. For these top horses you have to continue to take care of them and keep them focused on the best races.
He was always a good horse. I rode him for Clayton and Emma. As a three-year-old he won a good race in Brisbane. One evening he was doing very well. He was unlucky not to win the Queensland Derby. He’s always had the ability. Now that he’s gotten a little older, he’s really grown up. He used to do a few things wrong, hopefully he’s grown out of them.
Connections of Kingman will now be chasing the $1 million bonus on offer for the Victorian Carnival of Cups.
Kingman now has a 3-0 record over Leap To Fame, who is still looking for his first win over Kingman. The barrier in their future meetings will still play a big role, but at this stage it looks like Kingman has the edge over Leap To Fame. But harness racing will continue to benefit as the country’s best horses continue to meet in upcoming features.
For full race results, click here.
Through Tony Milanesefor Harnesslink
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