LEGENDS, for eminently understandable reasons, tend to linger somewhat longer than they should. 

Ali did it, Jordan did it, and there’s a growing argument that even the Bambi of international sport, Roger Federer, is finally pushing the envelope. 

Not so King Of Swing. 

Like Makybe Diva before him, Belinda McCarthy’s statuesque stallion confirmed his position in racing history by being the first horse to claim an iconic event three times before sailing into the sunset. 

For Makybe Diva that race was the Melbourne Cup, for King Of Swing the Miracle Mile. 

As a result, as we continue to celebrate his trailblazing deeds, we’re also left to wonder how ‘The King’ will be remembered. 

He wasn’t the fastest horse in history, nor the most versatile or breathtaking. 

He was, however, brutally durable, crazily competitive and always prepared to face the battles that mattered. 

In basketball terms he was Bill Russell, in tennis terms he was Novak Djokovic and in cricketing terms he was Jacques Kallis. 

None of this trio will be regularly chosen to head top 20 lists of their respective professions but all boast records infinitely better than many ranked above them. 

Primarily, above all else, King Of Swing should be remembered as a pioneer. 

He did things, regularly, that just aren’t done – particularly in the era he occupied. 

These days, horses rarely if ever claim Group 1 races in their juvenile seasons and then develop into Grand Circuit superstars. 

These days, horses rarely if ever have the pace required to win Miracle Miles and the stamina to also dominate Hunter Cups. 

And never, in it’s 50-plus years history, has any horse been consistently elite enough to record three Miracle Mile successes. 

King Of Swing did all of this and more. 

The King’s retirement also marks the likely end of an era. 

With Lochinvar Art as yet unable to reach his previous dizzying heights since returning from injury and King Of Swing off to stud, Australasia’s pacing throne is oddly empty. 

Finding out who’ll steal the crown now should be lots of fun. 

IN thoroughbred racing, big predictions based on threadbare evidence are simply part of the furniture. 

Maiden winners are regularly referenced as Group 1 stars of the future while Group 1 horses are casually slated as champions in the making. 

In harness racing, spruiks of this nature are slightly rarer than hen’s teeth. 

That’s why Anton Golino’s future projections for Im Ready Jet before she’d made the grade are worth their weight in gold. 

On Saturday night, Im Ready Jet overcame every possible obstacle to win the La Coocaracha Trotters Free For All at Group 2 level. 

Golino told us, before anybody, that this girl was something special. 

And something special she is. 

The opinions expressed in The Forum are those of the author and may not be attributed to or represent policies of Harness Racing Victoria, which is the state authority and owner of thetrots.com.au.