It only took one run for Luke McCarthy to add rejuvenated former Kiwi topliner Star Galleria to the Del-Re National A. G. Hunter Cup mix.

He’s one of three stable stars McCarthy and Craig Cross have earmarked for the Hunter Cup with defending champ King Of Swing and former winner Bling It On being the others.

Star Galleria won 14 races and almost $400,000 in NZ for Steven Reid, but niggling injury issues and the dominance of the All Stars stable have limited his feature race impact over the past couple of years.

Reid sold a half share in the gelding a couple of months back as part of the deal for him to go to Cross and McCarthy where the water-walker and rehab training style has worked wonders.

His first run for the barn was little more than trackwork winning at Menangle as he liked last Saturday night.

“It was his first time away from the property for us, we didn’t have the chance to trial or even private trial him, so to win so easily was great, especially knowing the improvement he’ll take from it,” McCarthy said.

“It’s taken a couple of months to get him right, but on his work at home, he’s right up there with our very best horses.”

McCarthy said the PETstock Ballarat Cup on January 23 was a possible for Star Galleria, but everything depended on how challenging it was to get in and out of Victoria.

“He’s the one of ours who could go to Ballarat, otherwise all three will just go down and back for the Hunter Cup,” he said.

King Of Swing returns to racing at Menangle next Saturday night, runs again on January 19 and then goes to the Hunter Cup.

“Star Galleria will bypass King Of Swing and run each week King isn’t racing, while Bling It On will resume in the Goulburn Cup (January 17),” McCarthy said.

The barn will also send exciting four-year-old Expensive Ego and star mare Bettor Enforce to Victoria.

“Expensive Ego is the real deal. He’ll go to the (DNR Logistics) 4YO Bonanza. Bettor Enforce is going for the big mares’ race (Alabar Bloodstock Ladyship Cup) on Hunter Cup night,” McCarthy said.

As great as his 2020 was, there’s no reason this year won’t be even better for Victoria’s latest pin-up pacer Lochinvar Art.

In fact, trainer-driver David Moran hinted as much when asked how confident he was going into what proved a breathtaking Vicbred final win on New Year’s Eve.

“You shouldn’t be too confident going into big races like this, but I am really confident … I don’t think I’ve had him better going into a big race,” he said pre-race.

And that’s just how it looked.

Remembering, in the space of 12 months, Lochinvar Art came from being considered a second tier player in his age group to being the best pacer in Australasia.

So much has been said about his strength and versatility, but that speed he showed to hold the lead in the Vicbred final then still rip home in blistering closing splits underlined his sheer speed as well.

He certainly deserves top seeding going into the Hunter Cup, where he carries the hopes of a state starved of much success in their own marquee race.

Kerryn Manning’s Kiwi import Arden Rooney (2015) is the only locally-trained Hunter Cup winner in the past 14 years. Before that it was Sting Lika Bee back in 2007.

TAB’s latest market has Lochinvar Art $2.70 favourite from King Of Swing ($4.20), Self Assured ($6), Spankem ($7.50) and Chicago Bull ($9).

It’s a strong group of five, but I’m sure Lochinvar Art is best of them, albeit barrier draws will be vitally important.

I’d have King Of Swing second elect from Self Assured, and I’m certainly not selling Chicago Bull short if he turns up with his A-game, while Star Galleria could be the X-factor that King Of Swing was 12 months ago.

All going to plan, we’ll see Lochinvar Art next in his hometown Neatline Homes Shepparton Gold Cup on January 16.

“But, that’s not a given,” Moran added. “It’ll depend on how he is the week leading into it. Otherwise I’ll go straight into the Ballarat Cup a week later.”

Beyond the Hunter Cup on February 6, Lochinvar Art heads to the Newcastle Mile on February 19 and the Miracle Mile on March 6.