Kingman Triumphs in New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington

In a thrilling display of speed and strategy, Kingman clinched victory at the New Zealand Trotting Cup held at Addington on March 15, 2024. The horse, trained and driven by Australian Luke McCarthy, delivered an impressive performance over the challenging 3200-metre course, overcoming a difficult position to secure the win.

McCarthy maintained his composure despite Kingman being three wide from the 1400-metre mark. He remarked, “You’re going in a straight line whether you’re one wide or three wide; it’s not a big deal. I just wanted to get next to them and try to get him to sit there. You leave it too late, and you get pushed off the track, so full credit to the horse,” as he spoke to Trackside following the race.

Kingman’s Journey to Victory

Kingman entered the New Zealand Trotting Cup after a commendable performance at the Victoria Cup last month, where he triumphed over fellow competitor Leap To Fame. McCarthy, one of the few Australians to have won this prestigious race, described the New Zealand Trotting Cup as the “mecca for harness racing.” His victory adds to his esteemed reputation in the sport.

In this year’s race, Leap To Fame, trained and driven by Grant Dixon, finished in second place, while Merlin took home third and Better Knuckle Up finished fourth. The prize money for the race reflected its significance, with Kingman receiving $540,000 for his win. The distribution of prize money saw second place garner $150,000, third place $85,000, fourth place $47,500, and fifth place $27,500, while all other starters received $15,000.

With this victory, Kingman not only adds another accolade to his career but also highlights the competitive spirit and skill present in harness racing. As the dust settles on this year’s event, the excitement for the next New Zealand Trotting Cup is already building among fans and participants alike.