Kingman confirmed for IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup

By Adam Hamilton 

Victoria Cup winner Kingman is a lock for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 11.

Owner-breeder Mick Harvey ended days of speculation and added an exciting new dimension to the Cup when he confirmed the raid was a goer.

“We’re going,” he said. “We had the trial and then a few other things to weigh-up, but I’ve been keen all along.

“I was at Ashburton on Monday to see my filly, Ripples, win and it’s amazing how much they love the trots over there.

“Obviously NZ Cup Week is a step-up on that, the ultimate, and to be a big part of it with a horse this special to me will be an incredible thrill.”

Harvey confirmed Kingman would be a late arrival to NZ, being booked on a flight from Sydney to Christchurch, via Auckland, on Sunday week.

“That’s what Luke (McCarthy) thinks will suit best,” he said.

Kingman will tackle the Cup, bypass the NZ Free-For-All and contest the Christian Cullen before returning home.

He has been ranked eighth for the NZ Cup, with the final rankings coming out next Tuesday The TAB currently have him as the $6 fourth favourite behind Leap To Fame, Republican Party and Swayzee. 

Harvey said he wasn’t surprised Kingman handled the standing-start well in his Menangle trial on Wednesday.

“Luke said he’d handled some practice well at home,” he said. “And don’t forget he galloped for a couple of strides in that Victoria Cup and got down quickly. Luke says he’s a smart horse like that.

“We’re going because we think he can win the Cup. He’s the horse on the rise.

“He’s beaten Swayzee and Leap To Fame on their merits at his past two starts.

“Luke says he’s come through the Victoria Cup really well and he should only keep getting better with experience in the big races.”