Kingman lands prime draw for NZ Cup title defence
Kingman gets the jump on Leap To Fame in Cup draw
CHRISTCHURCH, NZ – Kingman (Always B Miki) has emerged as one of the major winners from the barrier draw for Tuesday’s $800,000 Group 1 New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway, securing barrier four while Australian superstar Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) will start from barrier eight.
The draw for the 3200-metre standing-start harness racing feature on November 10 has produced some intriguing scenarios, with several leading contenders drawing favourably on the front row while others face considerably tougher assignments.
Kingman, who defeated Leap To Fame in last year’s New Zealand Cup, will give his driver Luke McCarthy an opportunity to secure a prominent position in the early stages from barrier four.
Leap To Fame, one of the headline attractions of this year’s Cup is ideally placed to go forward and control the race from the front or from the parked out spot.
The Queensland champion will need to negotiate the early stages carefully, particularly with several capable rivals drawn inside him.
His great rival Swayzee has fared better, drawing barrier six.
The draw gives Swayzee an opportunity to establish a position ahead of Leap To Fame, setting up another fascinating chapter in their rivalry.
Market Place and The Lazarus Effect, meanwhile, will need to overcome second-row draws if they are to keep the Cup on home soil.
The stage is set for another memorable New Zealand Trotting Cup.
2026 New Zealand Trotting Cup barrier draw
| Barrier | Horse |
| 1 | Minos |
| 2 | Franco Sinatra |
| 3 | Mo’unga |
| 4 | Kingman |
| 5 | Rubira (E2) |
| 6 | Swayzee |
| 7 | Tact McLeod |
| 8 | Leap To Fame |
| 9 | Renegade |
| 10 | Republican Party |
| 11 | Market Place |
| 12 | Wild Willow (E3) |
| 13 | Better Knuckle Up |
| 14 | It’s Tough |
| 15 | Bettors Anvil |
| 16 | Merlin |
| 17 | The Lazarus Effect |
| 18 | Dreams Are Free (E1) |
The barrier draw was announced ahead of the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington on Tuesday, November 10.
The Dominion Handicap draw has also been conducted today with favourite Gus drawing on the second row.
The Renwick Farms Dominion Trot
1 Tetrick
2 Tarragindi (E3)
3 Mr Love
4 Dash Dosh
5 Walkinonsunshine
6 Gotfeelingsyouknow
7 Bravehearthighlander
8 Higher Power
9 Resolve (EM1)
10 Nellie Doyle
Second row
11 George Eliot
12 Gus
13 Rockinwithattitude
14 Prestigious
15 Habibti Pat
16 Bounce N Beyond
17 Rock Lobster (E2)
18 Meant To Be (UR)
From Harnesslink Media
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