New pacing sensation Kingman is primed to up the ante on his challenge to Leap To Fame as Australasia’s best pacer at Bendigo on Saturday night.
Trainer-driver Luke McCarthy said the Victoria and NZ Cup winner was “ready to rock” as he takes his first step towards a possible $1 million bonus in the $75,000 Group 2 Bendigo Cup.
It’s Kingman’s first start since winning the Group 1 Christian Cullen at Addington in Christchurch on November 21.
“I’m not worried about his lack of recent racing, it’s always been the plan to go into Bendigo first-up,” McCarthy said.
“He’s ready to rock, don’t worry about that.
“Don’t forget he had almost four weeks between races from the Victoria Cup to the NZ Cup and went the best he ever has in the second of them.
“He’s fit and done plenty of work. He’s had two trips into Menangle for private workouts and you make them close to races. He’s right where I want him.”
Kingman has been a revelation since joining McCarthy’s stable in July with nine starts netting seven wins.
But it was the Victoria Cup win on October 17 and the NZ Cup romp on November 11 which really made statements.
Many hardened Kiwis say the NZ Cup performance was up with the greatest in the 100-plus year history of the iconic race.
Kingman beat Leap To Fame in both the Victoria and NZ Cups. That’s the only two occasions they’ve met.
“We went to the Victoria Cup because we thought he could win and he did and that sparked the idea for NZ,” McCarthy said. “To go over there and win it like he did, beating Leap To Fame in a real staying contest, that was something else.
“Leap To Fame is still the benchmark. He’s been there and done it for three years now.
“But it’s exciting to have a horse who can match it with it. It’s great for us and it’s great for the game, too.”
If things go to plan at Bendigo, fans won’t have to wait long for the third clash between Kingman and Leap To Fame.
It will happen on Saturday week in the $50,000 Shepparton Gold Cup.
“I love the Shepparton track and the plan is to go there if we’re happy with him this week,” McCarthy said.
Throw in champion NSW stayer Swayzee, who won the two NZ Cups before Kingman, and it’ll be the best race Shepparton has ever hosted.
But McCarthy is focused on Bendigo first.
“It’s a sprint race (1650m), so the draw will be important. I’m sure he’ll have to earn it with horses like Hi Manameisjeff, Catch A Wave and old Bulletproof Boy in it,” he said.
Kingman is heading to Bendigo in hope to land the first of four “Cup” wins across the Summer of Glory required to win the $1 million bonus offered by HRV. The four wins must include the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 14.
Kingman’s star-power at Bendigo will be matched by young trotting queen Keayang Zahara, who returns from a freshen-up in the $100,000 Group 1 Maori Mile.
The five-year-old will be a commanding favourite to land her 11th Group 1 win and her 21st victory from just 22 starts.
PHOTOS:
First two – HRNZ/Race Images NZ
Vic Cup win – Stuart McCormick
