King on a quest to create Miracle Mile history

Fresh from being named Australian Harness Horse of the Year – again – champion pacer King Of Swing begins a step towards his third successive Miracle Mile when he steps out at harness racing’s Menangle track tonight.

Trainer Belinda McCarthy and star reinsman Luke McCarthy have put King Of Swing’s Inter Dominion defeat in December well behind them as they begin a quest to become the first horse to win three successive Miracle Miles.

Only nine horses have won multiple Horse of the Year titles and among the list of these champions are the likes of Gammalite, Village Kid, Westburn Grant, Our Sir Vancelot, Sokyola, Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn and Beautide.

Yet none of that elite list of pacers were able to win three Miracle Miles and King Of Swing sets off on that path tonight when he resumes from a let-up in Race 5 over 2300m.

Even though he may need the hit-out, King Of Swing has been installed a $1.33 favourite to win, despite his wide draw.

Yet the presence of former Victoria Derby winner Colt Thirty One, Inter Dominion heat winner Bundoran and Paul Fitzpatrick’s promising Zeuss Bromac, suggests the ‘King’ will not get everything his own way.

Team McCarthy will scarcely have time to hose King Of Swing down after tonight’s test before rushing to the TV to watch their other stable star, Expensive Ego a few minutes after their race as the Inter Dominion runner-up contests the $50,000 Group 2 Casey Classic over 2240m at Melton in Victoria.

Expensive Ego has been installed a $1.50 favourite for his race and despite being recognised as the ‘heir apparent’ to King Of Swing, Luke McCarthy’s allegiance to his champion was evident when he chose to drive in Sydney and leave champion Victorian reinsman Chris Alford to get the job done south of the border.

You can see why when you study King Of Swing’s record after annexing his second successive Horse of the Year title.

He raced 16 times last season for 11 wins and four placings, including his second successive Miracle Mile and banked $871,870 .

Luke drove him in 15 of his 16 runs with David Moran filling in when third in the Victoria Cup.

Champion former Kiwi mare Amazing Dream, who beat King Of Swing in the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park, was crowned the Aged Pacing Mare of the Year in a huge result for rookie trainer Nathan Purdon.

To view the fields for Menangle on Saturday night click here.

By Michael Court for HRNSW