It was Kingman that was the toast of Melton after a big win in the $250,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup at Melton on Saturday.
One of the biggest nights for the harness racing calendar in Victoria, there were plenty of surprises on the night, with Kingman leading the way.
Kingman overcame a huge early scare when he jumped a shadow and galloped briefly while challenging for the lead.
Kingman took a trail on one of the favourites in Leap To Fame in the middle stages, when he moved around to sit outside the leader, Hi Manameisjeff.
Kingman won by 1.8 metres from a gallant Hi Manameisjeff with Leap To Fame tiring late into third, another 6.7 metres away.
Kingman Driver Luke McCarthy said they were ready for a test like this and his horse stood up at the key moment.
“His form had been so good in Sydney it was probably a good thing to see where we stood against the top five,” he said.
“He follows speed, he’s strong, very versatile, couldn’t be happier.”
McCarthy said from the 500 metre mark he knew the horse was travelling really good and thought it was a chance to win.
“I was hoping good enough to pick him up, he gave me a lot of confidence in the run, and looked good.”
A scare with a mile to go ended up being something that will be forgotten about in the wash up.
“We just stood up a little bit and made sure we committed to holding what it looked like he was, ‘He jumped or something and put in a step, lucky he picked up right away and the rest is history. “
It was a big day for Kingman owner Mick Harvey
Earlier in the dya, Harvey’s mare Vivy Air won a key race at Randwick’s massive Everest meeting.
Kingman overcame a huge early scare when he jumped a shadow and galloped briefly while challenging for the lead.
It was the first time in two year’s Leap To Fame has been beaten in consecutive starts as continued his Victoria Cup hoodoo as the only major eastern states feature to elude him.
The Group 1 Victoria Derby was won in dominant style by Fox Dan, who ran a fantastic
NSW filly Soho Americano continued on her successful Oaks crusade when she outstayed her rivals in the Group 1 Victoria Oaks Final on Saturday night at Melton.
Superstar mare Keayang Zahara racked up the sixth Group 1 success of her relatively short career when she led all the way in the Aldebaran Park Bill Collins Trotters Sprint on Saturday night at Melton.
