McCarthy eyeing up big targets with Kingman and Marketplace

By Adam Hamilton 

New Zealand Cup hero Kingman is back in work earlier than expected.

Luke McCarthy’s star produced one of the greatest performances seen in the iconic race to down Leap To Fame in last year’s NZ Cup.

It capped a stellar month where he also beat Leap To Fame on his merits in the Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton.

Kingman’s form then tapered off after a busy start to the 2026 and McCarthy said he spent six weeks spelling after a disappointing run in the Race by Sport Nation at Cambridge on April 10.

“He’s been back jogging almost two weeks now and seems great,” he said. “It all just caught up with him at the end of last campaign and it’s been great to be able to give him this good break.

“Given the timing now, I’d say he’ll be back racing in early September.

“The plan is to pretty much copy last year, go to the Len Smith Mile, Victoria Cup and then back over for the NZ Cup.

“I’m sure now he’s had the break, we’ll see him back to his best form this campaign.”

In the meantime, McCarthy is plotting a big raid on the upcoming Queensland riches.

He also is helping look after young Kiwi star Marketplace for trainer Regan Todd.

“I drove him in the Menangle trial yesterday and he felt awesome.” McCarthy said. “He went 1min50.1sec and was absolutely cruising.

“I drove him in trackwork before he ran in the NZ Derby late last year and knew then he was a really serious horse.

“I’m sure he’s going to make a real Grand Circuit horse.”

McCarthy will drive Marketplace through his Aussie campaign, which will start in a 2300m free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday week.

His main target is the $300,000 Group 1 Rising Sun at Albion Park on July 4.

“I know the preferential draw will favour the mare (Captains Mistress), but if this guy draws well in say four of five, he’s got explosive gate speed and could cross them,” McCarthy said.

“With a couple of runs under his belt, he should be primed for the race and I can’t wait for it.”

McCarthy’s own Brisbane team will be headed by former Inter Dominion winner Don Hugo, who resumes in a 1609m free-for-all at Menangle on Saturday night.

It’s a tricky race for him from gate five with Captains Mistress in the pole and speedy stablemate Hi Manameisjeff in gate two.

“I’m sure he’ll run well and it’s a good starting point,” he said. “He’ll have another run here (Menangle) before the Inter Dominion heats start (July 4).”

McCarthy also has the Queensland Derby in his sights with the unbeaten The Niteshift, who faces by far his biggest test at Menangle on Saturday night.

Unbeaten in three starts, Jack Callaghan will drive The Niteshift from gate 10 against classy rivals like Zeus Lightning (gate six) and Leap To Fame’s baby half-sister, Senses, in gate five.