“There is no pressure, it’s a privilege.”
This is the belief of Perth based owner Mark Congerton leading into tomorrow night’s (Saturday) feature at Albion Park, the Gr.1 $175,660 TAB Blacks A Fake.
It’s the final night of the 2020 Queensland summer carnival.
And it coincides as the final leg of the 2019/20 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit season, and King Of Swing will be crowned the champion pacer – win lose or draw.
His lead is so big he cannot be overthrown and Congerton is embracing the honour for his star performer.
“It’s great to be part of the Queensland carnival and to be installed as such a warm favourite is very pleasing but the highlight of being crowned Grand Circuit champion is very special and rewarding for all involved with the horse, he’s a special talent that has proven himself many times over unlike others.” Congerton said.
And Congerton knows plenty about sharing in the ownership of a pacer crowned Grand Circuit champion having shared in the spoils with Im Themightyquinn ($4.5 million).
King Of Swing is raced by several members of the Im Themightyquinn ownership group while Congerton also shared in the ownership of Baltic Eagle, the winner of the 2003 Inter Dominion in Christchurch.
Originally purchased and placed in the care of brilliant horseman Gary Hall Snr in Perth following feature race glory with Auckland horseman Ray Green, King Of Swing added the WA Derby to his trophy cabinet which already included the Breeders Crown 2yo Final.
But a flat-spot as a four-year-old sparked a decision to change trainers and King Of Swing headed east and joined the stables of Cobbitty Equine under the banner of Craig Cross and Luke McCarthy.
From 12 starts to date, the Rocknroll Hanover entire has won nine times while being the runner-up in the other three starts.
His haul of Gr.1 features includes the Miracle Mile, Hunter Cup and Allied Express Sprint which has netted more than $1 million in stakes this year.
“It was a spur of the moment decision to change trainers and it’s the mark of Gary Hall Snr to recommend the change, everyone over there have really taken to him and Luke has a wonderful rapport with the horse.
“Pound for pound, he’s the best horse going around in this country and he hasn’t missed any of the big dances and this will be his third state that he’s raced in this year. It’s a thoroughly deserving title of being crowned Grand Circuit champion.
“I’m super proud and I still believe the best is yet to come, ultimately he will stand at stud once his racing days are behind him and to have a Grand Circuit champion title beside his name is awesome. If successful on the weekend, that will be his sixth Gr.1 victory.”
King Of Swing is expected to win and is currently listed as a $1.55 favourite in the 2680m feature.
For McCarthy, he’s chasing his ninth victory in the Sunshine State feature.
McCarthy has 64 Gr.1 victories with 14 coming at Grand Circuit level.
Only Chris Alford and the late great Gavin Lang have more Gr.1 wins.
The Tab Blacks A Fake is race 8 on the 10-race program and is listed to start at 9.12pm local time.
Chris Barsby