“This is a dream come true.”
That was Kevin Gordon’s reaction after his brilliant five-year-old pacer Lochinvar Art continued his ascent up the world harness charts, brilliantly winning the $500,000 Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup on Saturday (Feb. 6).
The now seven-time Group 1 champion Lochinvar Art always looked to travel perfectly after his trainer-driver David Moran took him to the lead two laps out at Tabcorp Park Melton in the 2,760-metre Grand Circuit classic.
When he activated his afterburners during the last lap, the beauty of this Hunter Cup wasn’t that it would be battle at the finish. The magic was watching a modern-day marvel strut his stride.
Lochinvar Art was in full flight from the 800m to the 400m, when he ripped through a :26.1-second quarter which broke the hearts of his rivals.
His last half was paced in :53.1.
“He’s just the perfect racehorse,” Moran said.
“He’s got the speed, got the stamina, got the toughness and an unbelievable attitude.
“He knows he’s good. He’s relaxed and casual. He’d stand here all day if he could. He’s just a pleasure to be around.”
It also shouldn’t be missed how cool and calm Moran was tonight. Post nine was awkward but Lochinvar Art trailed into a beautiful spot early before Moran hit the button to ensure he maintained the advantage over his key adversary King Of Swing, who drew 12.
“We had to keep an eye on where Luke [McCarthy] was. If he were in a three-wide position early he had an opportunity to follow through, so we had to get on the bike earlier than we would have liked,” Moran said.
“But he did it easily and he’s a champion.”
That he is.
He’s only five. That almost gets forgotten. His top-flight wins include tonight’s Hunter Cup, the Ballarat Cup a fortnight ago, the Vicbred Super Series Final on New Year’s Eve, the Victoria Cup, Chariots of Fire and record-breaking four-year-old Bonanza last year, and the Bathurst Gold Chalice of 2019.
Lochinvar Art will next head to New South Wales for a tilt at the $100,000 Newcastle Mile on February 19, with the winner of that race to receive a ticket to the $1-million Miracle Mile on March 6.
Moran indicated earlier this year that he and owner Gordon have discussed a North American campaign for Lochinvar Art, a son of Modern Art from the Ponder mare Ponder In Paris.
“As far as America goes, it’s something Kevin and I have talked about and it’s a real chance, but we want to get through these couple of months of big races and go from there,” said Moran in January, referring to the recently captured Hunter Cup and the pending Miracle Mile. “I’d love to take him across myself, it would be the chance of a lifetime, but we could also send him to one of the top trainers over there if we decide he should go.”
(with files from HRV)