He’s done it again.
Hulking pacer King Of Swing has recorded back-to-back victories in Australasia’s premier speed test, the $1 million Garrards Miracle Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle last night (Saturday) leading basically all of the way in a time of 1:49.2 defeating his stablemate Expensive Ego and Wolf Stride.
The Rocknroll Hanover entire becomes the seventh pacer to record back-to-back victories in the feature sprint joining the likes of Westburn Grant (1989/90), Chokin (1993/94), Holmes DG (1999/2000), Sokyola (2003/04), Be Good Johnny (2005/06) and Smoken Up (2010/11).
Only King Of Swing and Smoken Up have gone back-to-back at Menangle when the race was moved from Harold Park back in 2009.
West Australian Village Kid also won two Miracle Miles, but the wins were split by New Zealand pacer Master Mood.
The victory provides trainer Belinda McCarthy with her second Miracle Mile trophy after scoring with Baby Bling back in 2013 while her husband driver Luke also registered his second win after partnering King Of Swing last year.
Their pair of victories places them alongside John (father & father-in-law) as dual winners of the famed sprint.
King Of Swing becomes the first pacer to record back-to-back victories for two different trainers, Craig Cross prepared him last year while McCarthy put the polish on the six-year-old last night.
McCarthy becomes the most successful female trainer in the event’s history with two victories although Natalie Rasmussen was part of both Have Faith In Me (2016) and Spankem (2019) but not officially recognized as part of the training combination back in 2016.
Also, it’s the second straight year where Luke McCarthy has beaten David Moran (Expensive Ego) in the feature following King Of Swing downing Lochinvar Art last year.
With the McCarthy stable providing three (3) of the eight (8) starters, they finished 1st, 2nd and 5th while the last stable to have three starters in the race was the All Stars (Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen) back in 2019 and they finished 1st, 2nd and 4th.
King Of Swing becomes the 15th richest Australia/New Zealand bred pacer with earnings of $2,298,796.
The list of pacers ahead of him includes Blacks A Fake, Im Themightyquinn, Lazarus, Smoken Up, Monkey King, Lennytheshark, Christen Me, Bit Of A Legend, Shartin (mare), Smolda, Terror To Love, Tiger Tara, Chicago Bull and Changeover.
The list of pacers he leapfrogged includes Shakamaker, Our Sir Vancelot, Beautide, Village Kid, Westburn Grant, Elsu, Flashing Red, Holmes DG, Master Musician, Sokyola, Bling It On, Yulestar, Washakie, Chokin, Auckland Reactor, Have Faith In Me, Christopher Vance and Luxury Liner.
Also, he has become the 7th highest earning stallion behind Lazarus, Lennytheshark, Bit Of A Legend, Terror To Love, Tiger Tara and Changeover.
With early fireworks expected, The Black Prince used his inside draw to repel Alta Orlando while King Of Swing floated forward without being chased hard.
By the end of the first quarter, King Of Swing had found the front and assumed full control on the race.
The first quarter was timed in 26.6 seconds.
Heading by the half, King Of Swing dictated terms in front while Expensive Ego moved up on his outside leaving The Black Prince in the trail with Alta Orlando sitting one, one back.
The second split was timed in 28.6 seconds with the first half covered in 55.2 seconds.
It was the slowest opening half of a Miracle Mile since 2013 (Beautide) when they paced a 55.4 opening half.
Since being staged at Menangle, other slower opening halves include Smoken Up (x2 – 56.6 & 56.2) and Monkey King (55.6).
Approaching the home turn, King Of Swing was in full control.
The third quarter was timed in 28.1 seconds.
In the home straight, King Of Swing defied running down and held a game Expensive Ego while Wolf Stride producing another great effort to snatch third.
The final split was timed in 25.9 seconds.
The winning time was 1:49.2.
Last year, King Of Swing clocked a career best time of 1:48.0.
Since switching from Gary Hall in Perth, King Of Swing takes his Menangle record to 12 wins from 14 starts.
Under the care of Cross and now McCarthy, King Of Swing has won 14 of his 18 starts while banking more than $1.8 million
He was placed in the four defeats.
Amongst his 14 victories, nine have been recorded in sub 1:50 time with a ‘PB’ of 1:48.0.
King Of Swing is raced by Beth Richardson, Mark Congerton, GO Racing (Mick Harvey), Karen Hall, Glen Moore, Sylvie MacGregor plus Rob and Frank Patriarca.
The victory also catapults King Of Swing back into the lead of the Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit after two races, Lochinvar Art won the opening leg (Hunter Cup) with King Of Swing finishing third before gaining maximum points last night.
As the reigning APG Grand Circuit champion, King Of Swing now has 140 points while Lochinvar Art has 100.
The next leg of the 2021 APG Grand Circuit is the Gr.1 $250,660 TAB Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 24 – another race he won last year!
Chris Barsby
Republished from www.harnesslink.com
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