From the day he was born Kingston Rule was destined for greatness. There probably has never been a better bred horse in Australia.Owned by David Hains, Kingston Rule was out of imortal American racehorse Secretariat by the AJC Derby winning filly Rose Of Kingston. Rose Of Kingston was an exceptional filly who became the first filly in 1982 since Tea Rose to win the AJC Derby. In the Derby she defeated Our Planet and the future Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Gurners Lane.She also won the VRC Oaks in the spring. Secretariat was the winner in 1973 of the American triple crown and is still the fastest Kentucky Derby winner in history. Many American experts rate him Americas greatest ever race horse with all most all judges rating him in the first three.This champion racehorse mated with a great staying dam had all the ingredients to be a champion.

Kingston Rule was sent to be trained by Bart Cummings.Due to his breeding Kingston Rule had a big wrap on him. After winning some minor races Kingston Rule was sent to the big league where he finished behind the placings in the Australia Cup behind Vo Rogue, Better Loosen Up and Super Impose.Kingston Rule had done well considering his inexperience and was spelled by Cummings. Already Bart was eyeing of another Melbourne Cup.

Kingston Rule began his campaign over shorter distances. He finally stepped up in distance in the Group 3 Coongy Handicap at Caulfield over 2000 metres.Here he showed a glimpse of his potential with a strong second behinf the talented New Zealander Kessem.The run still didn't get him a Caulfield Cup run. The cup was won brilliantly that year by Sydeston who looked set to start a short priced favourite in the Melbourne Cup. He futher shortened after running a narrow second in course equaling time in the WS Cox Plate to Champion Better Loosen Up. On the same day as the Cox Plate Kingston Rule scored an impressive win in the Moonee Valley Cup, beating the New Zealander Flying Luskin and the good Sydney mare Chalayer. In a fast run race Kingston Rule settled midfield on the rails. Taking the lead on the turn Kingston Rule finished strongly to win by almost a length. The run was a super cup trail and had Bart Cummings very happy.

Derby day will always be remembered as David Hayes day as he won six of the eight races, including the LKS MacKinnon with Better Loosen Up. The day also saw Cup favourite Sydeston blow out in the market after a dissapointing eighth in the MacKinnon. His failure suggested a horse who was jaded and at the end of his campaign. All of a sudden the Cup was left wide open. Kingston Rule futher firmed in the market with a strong finishing second to Mount Olympus in a time just outside the track record in the Dalgety Handicap.With the shock failure of Sydeston Kingston Rule and The Phantom became the new cup favourites leading up to cup day.

The 1990 Melbourne Cup was run on a lightening fast track. The Flemington track for the last two springs had been raced on flint hard tracks and had seen plenty of track records set. In fact the 89 Cup won by Tawriffic had seen a new track record set of 3-17.1 This years cup promised to be run at a fast tempo. For the cup Kingston Rule was ridden by Darren Beadman. Futher good news was the fact that he had drawn barrier one. The Cup saw a capacity field os 24 start with Kingston Rule and the Phantom equal favourites at 7-1. Sydeston who despite his failure on the Saturday took his place in the field and started at the unbelievable odds of 14-1 considering just days earlier he was a short priced favourite.

The cup was run at a break neck speed. Kingston Rule from barrier one slit straight onto the rails and settled eighth The Phantom also on the rails settled mid field.Donegal Mist, Rising Fear and Dalraffin were all caught wide while last years winner Tawriffic and Sydney mare Chalayer brought up the rear.Leaving the winning post behind them Sydeston was back with only five behind. Up front Savage Toss and Our Magic Man set a fierce tempo and cut at one another in the lead. Kingston Rule continued to race seventh or eighth on the rails.On straightening the leaders begun to struggle but were battling on well when with 300 to go Kingston Rule got a run along the inside. The Phantom was held up and looking to get clear which he eventually did with 150 to go. Kingston Rule sprinted quickly and had secured a break which The Phantom was unable to peg back. Kingston Rule showing great staying qualities won by a length from The Phantom with a head away third Mr Brooker. It had been a great staying performances in a race which was run at a pace allowiig for the best stayer to win.

The time was a new track record. It was the fastest Melbourne Cup in history and is still the record. The track record set by Tawriffic the year before of 3-17.1 was smashed. Kingston Rule ran 3-16.3 for the 3200.

After the Cup Kingston Rule raced a couple more times for placings in the Blamey and the ST George. After this he was retired to stud where his sired Sheer Kingston an Adelaide and Brisbane Cup winner and Kesington Palace a VRC Oaks winner. In winning the Melbourne Cup Kingston Rule became the first horse since Wodalla in 1953 to win the Moonee Valley and Melbourne Cups. Kingston Rules failure to win at WFA prevents him going down as one of the greats. And even though the record was due in part to the flint hard track and the quick tempo set up front by the leaders Kingston Rule deserves special mention as the stayer who set the Melbourne Cup race record.

David Waters.