NZ Cup barriers out - Kingman draws four, Leap To Fame eight

The barriers are out for the $800,000 Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup, and defending champion Kingman has landed barrier four on the front line for his title defence at Addington on Tuesday, November 10.

The Group 1 Cup is run over 3200 metres from a standing start, with every runner off the front mark. It is race 12 on the Cup Day program, at 5.48pm NZ time.
Kingman, trained and driven by Luke McCarthy, is one of three Australian challengers drawn on the front line. Swayzee drew barrier six and Leap To Fame, runner-up to Kingman last year, drew barrier eight.

“We’re really happy with four. It gives Luke options, and I can’t wait for Tuesday,” Mick Harvey said.

The inside barriers went to local runners. Minos, trained by Jason Grimson, drew the pole, with Franco Sinatra in two for Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. Mo’unga, driven by Robbie Close for Regan Todd, drew three.

Rubira (listed as second emergency) drew five, Tact McLeod seven, Renegade nine and the Dalgety-trained Republican Party 10.

Marketplace, the Regan Todd-trained four-year-old, heads the second line from 11. Wild Willow (listed as third emergency), Better Knuckle Up, It’s Tough, Bettors Anvil, Merlin and The Lazarus Effect drew 12 to 17. Dreams Are Free is the first emergency.

Merlin, third in last year’s Cup, starts from barrier 16, with Zachary Butcher driving for Barry Purdon and Scott Phelan. Bob Butt trains and drives The Lazarus Effect from 17.

Kingman’s 2025 win is rated by many Kiwi judges among the greatest performances in the race’s long history. He beat Leap To Fame and Merlin in 3:54.8 to complete a Victoria Cup and NZ Cup double. This year he won the Shepparton Cup in January and ran a luckless fourth in the Victoria Cup at Melton on October 17, when he was caught four back on the rails and blocked for a run.

McCarthy has said the NZ Cup has been the plan all along.

“He’s on the same path, the Victoria Cup and then NZ,” Luke McCarthy said.

Leap To Fame arrives after skipping the Victoria Cup to focus on Addington. The Queensland champion won each of his first three starts back at Albion Park this spring, and his official form line shows five wins from his last six starts. Grant Dixon trains and drives the seven-year-old.

Swayzee, one of two Grimson-trained runners in the race, is one of only two pacers to have beaten Leap To Fame three times. Kingman is the other

Several of the Australian raiders have settled into Canterbury stables ahead of the race. Kingman is with Regan Todd at Yaldhurst, Leap To Fame with Steve and Amanda Telfer at Weedons, and Swayzee and Minos with Bob Butt at Woodend Beach.

Disclosure: Kingman is owned and bred by Mick Harvey, who owns Harnesslink.

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From Harnesslink Media