Kingman NZ after winning the NZ Cup
CHAMPION trainer Luke McCarthy thinks people have short memories.
As one of his stable stars Kingman nears a racetrack return, McCarthy can’t believe how forgotten the five-year-old has become after a few months out spelling.
“It doesn’t take long does it, a couple of beaten runs when he was tired and some great racing since, and he’s a bit of a forgotten horse,” he said.
“I don’t mind that, it takes the pressure off and I’m sure he’ll come back in the sort of form he showed late last year.”
Kingman had many declaring he was on the verge of taking Leap To Fame’s title as the best pacer in this part of the world when he beat the great Queenslander in the huge Victoria/NZ Cup double late last year.
He then beat him again in the Shepparton Cup on January 17.
“It’s not like he beat Larry once, he’s beaten him three times and quite emphatically each time,” McCarthy said.
“Leap To Fame is an out-and-out champion and has shown it time and time again, but Kingman has also shown he can beat him on his merits on the big stage.
“I can’t wait to get him back and into those big races again.”
Despite those three wins over Leap To Fame, Kingman only won one of his last nine starts before a spell.
“He was just tired and he’s a horse who doesn’t like the heat, so those five runs close together in Melbourne in summer took their toll,” McCarthy said.
“I’ll be more selective with his races this time, but the Victoria and NZ Cups are definite targets again.
“He’s about two weeks or so away from a trial and I’ll give him two or three runs in September to get ready for the Victoria Cup (October 17) and then we’ll head back to NZ again,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy is looking longer term with his other stable star, Miracle Mile and Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo.
“He had a strained suspensory (ligament) which forced him out of the Inter Dominion, but the latest scan was really encouraging,” he said.
“He’s doing rehab and we’ll take our time, so we’re looking more towards the Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile early next year with him.”
· PHOTO: HRNZ/Race Images NZ
