Kingman comes of age in stunning Victoria Cup win

Outstanding four year old Kingman (Always B Miki) showed that he is now in the big time when he upset Leap To Fame in the $250,000 Group 1 Sportsbet Victoria Cup at Melton on Saturday evening.

His win was not without drama as not long after the start, Kingman galloped but fortunately was able to settle down with the perfect one out and one back trail behind Leap to Fame who was able to come off his inside barrier draw and race outside the leader.

It was a fast run race early with Catch A Wave holding the lead from the pole but then giving the lead away to the New South Wales visitor HimynameisJeff.

Cameron Hart on Himynameisjeff judged the race perfectly running his second quarter in 29.1 seconds but then he had his rivals off the bit with an electrifying 26.9 seconds for the third quarter. Despite the torrid run Leap To Fame refused to give in although it was obvious on the final bend that he would be struggling to catch the leader. Catch A Wave was waiting for the inside run but didn’t seem to be making up enough ground.

Kingman peeled out behind Leap To Fame but even so MynameisJeff looked as if he might steal the race. However Kingman sprinted brilliantly in the last 100 metres to record a most impressive win.

KINGMAN OCT 18 REPLAY

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It was McCarthy’s fourth win in the Victoria Cup having previously won with Mr Feelgood (2010) For A Reason (2013) and Bling It On (2019).

Owned by Michael Harvey, Kingman has been a revelation since he joined Luke McCarthy’s team in July this year.

McCarthy explained the situation after the event.

“His form’s been so good in Sydney and it was a good thing to see where we stood against the top guys.  He’s high speed, he’s versatile, he’s strong so we couldn’t be happier.”

“I’m not sure what happened he galloped, sort of strode up a little to see if Cameron Hart was committed to holding it looked as if he was so I thought I would ease and sit on Larry (Leap To Fame) he jumped something or put in a step luckily he picked up straight away. And the rest is history.”

“From the 500 metre mark he was just travelling really good and sort of hoping that he would be good enough to pick them up he gave me a lot of confidence in the run, he travelled good. He’s a beautiful horse.”

Leap to Fame didn’t seem to be his sharp self and although he battled on gamely for third he never really looked like winning. Obviously trainer Grant Dixon who always has the horses well being as a priority may need to consider future plans including the New Zealand Cup in November.

Kingman is likely to go for the Group 1 Blacks A Fake at Albion Park in December. McCarthy indicated that he is keen for Kingman to tackle the Victorian country cups circuit in the New Year culminating in the Hunter Cup at Melton in February.

For complete race results, click here.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink