15 March 2022 | Club Menangle
Those prophetic words came from part-owner Mick Harvey as King Of Swing cemented his spot as one of Australia’s greatest-ever pacers with his third successive Miracle Mile win at Tabcorp Park Menangle tonight.
Harvey confirmed the son of Rocknroll Hanover would now be retired to stud, where he is bound to be just as successful as he has been on the track.
The seven-year-old scored a devastating win in tonight’s $1m Garrards Miracle Mile, beating stablemate Spirit Of St Louis (Jack Callaghan) and outsider Better Eclipse (Greg Sugars) in a slashing 1:49.2.
He made history by becoming the first pacer to win three Miracle Miles in the race’s 55-year history.
But it was the way the 1609m race’s mobile start panned out that had the big crowd stunned at Menangle.
Newcastle Mile winner Mach Dan came out humming from gate five and actually crossed the champion (gate one) when the starter let them go.
Yet star reinsman Luke McCarthy was up for the challenge and immediately extricated King Of Swing from behind the leaders and took control of the race from the front.
After a 25.6s opening split, McCarthy was able to back off the speed slightly with a 29s split before upping the ante slightly with a 28.4s third split before coming home in 26.2s for a one and a quarter metre win.
“I know I’ve talked all tough all week, but it was in the back of my mind what I would do if I did get crossed,” said Luke.
“But the King showed he was up to the task tonight and look where the ones that took him on finished? – he showed what a true champion he is tonight.”
Trained by his wife Belinda, Luke at last cracked it for a smile and admitted it was a massive thrill to win Australasia’s greatest sprint.
“You try to stay focused for a race as big as this,” he said.
“I’ll probably have a few beers later on tonight and what we have done will start to sink in.
“He’s such a beautiful horse.
I have to thank the race sponsor Garrards as they are great friends and great people and also West Australian trainer Gary Hall senior, who sent us the horse, deserves special mention as well.
“He has just been so supportive.”
KING OF SWING (T) BELINDA MCCARTHY (D) LUKE MCCARTHY
KING OF SWING (T) BELINDA MCCARTHY (D) LUKE MCCARTHY
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