‘The King’ swings another $500,000 Hunter Cup

Luke McCarthy is a harness racing driver that does not need an introduction.

The 39-year-old has won most of Australasia’s major races and has even tasted success at the top level in North America.

With 2809 wins to his credit since the 1998/99 season and 73 Group 1 winners, he has driven some top-class horses in his time.

And King Of Swing is right up there as one of his favourites.

The Grand Circuit champion claimed his second A.G. Hunter Cup at Tabcorp Park Melton tonight.

“I’ve been so lucky throughout my career to drive a lot of great horses and this is one of my favourite horses of all time,” said McCarthy when returning back to scale from winning the $500,000 feature.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s good gaited and he’s done such an amazing job.”

King Of Swing lead throughout from barrier one and with Lochinvar Art working to his outside, he rolled through the sectionals in 30.5, 30.2, 28.3 and 25.9 seconds.

The mile rate for the 2760m feature was 1:56.7 and Spirit Of St Louis finished second giving trainer Belinda McCarthy the quinella in the big one.

“What a great horse, he’s such a beautiful athlete,” said Luke McCarthy of King Of Swing.

It will now be all systems go towards the $1million Miracle Mile for King Of Swing.

The seven-year-old entire by Rocknroll Hanover has won 42 of his 80 starts and boasts earnings of $2,786,046.

To view the results from Melton on Saturday night click here.

By Amanda Rando for Harnesslink