The autumn triple crown looked a certainty but then Kingston Town was found to be lame in his near foreleg. Kept in light work before deciding whether to push on or spell the leg improved but by this stage he had missed the Canterbury Guineas. With only 7 days of full training he was fit enough to take his place in the Rosehill Guineas. Kingston Town sat four wide early before taking the lead to get closer to the rails. By the 1600m Roman Warrior led by a neck to Kingston Town then Lauriet and Lloyd Show followed by Rocky Top. By the 1000m Knights Affair picked up the speed to lead by two lengths from Roman Warrior and Kingston Town who was badly checked and they kick up to join the leader again. Passing the 800m Roman Warrior and Knights Affair led Kingston Town and Farewell Chime. On straightening Knights Affair raced clear of Roman Warrior as Kingston Town moved up inside that horse. By the 200m it was over with Kingston Town racing clear to stroll to victory by 4 lengths from Polo Player with Knights Affair third.
A week later he backed up in the Tancred Stakes and was sent out favourite against a classy field of older stayers. By the 1300m Double Century led with Kingston Town fourth along the rails. Around the turn Double Century was in the lead as Kingston Town moved out to make his run from Warri Symbol as Salamander ran on down the outside. By the 250m Kingston Town accelerated past Double Century under hands and heels to leave the opposition standing. By the post Kingston Town was clear by 4 ½ lengths eased down from Double Century with Gold and Black third.
Again he backed up in 7 days to take on the best of the staying 3yos and was sent out the 9/2 on favourite. By the 1200m Polo Player led Kingston Town then Red Kilt and River D’Or followed by Mr Independent and Prince Ruling. Around the turn Polo Player led Kingston Town and River D’Or the Red Kilt and Mr Independent followed by Big Print and Shogun. On straightening Kingston Town hit the front and raced away to win eased up by 3 ¼ lengths from Mr Independent and El Laurena third.
Many Derby winner would have been spelled at this point but Kingston Town backed up again for the fourth week in a row in the Sydney Cup. Drawn the extreme outside in a 17 horse field there were doubts he could find a position let alone stay the 2 miles but there was never a problem. Kingston Town flew the start and crossed the entire field to led early but settled in 5th on off the rail. By the 1200m Better Vibes led Kingston Town then Warri Symbol and Double Century. On straightening Kingston Town took the lead and powered away from Double Century then Marlborough and Favaloso. Under hand and heels Kingston Town won by 3 ¼ lengths from Double Century with Marlborough third.
By now the comparisons with Tulloch were starting to emerge but the good judges wanted to see Kingston Town go on in the spring and perform in Melbourne before such comparisons could be taken seriously.
But first to Brisbane. In the Grand Prix Kingston Town faced only two rivals in Red Kilt and Star Dynasty (brother to Ming Dynasty). Star Dynasty led Red Kilt and Kingston Town into the straight. By the 300m Red Kilt joined Star Dynasty but soon after it was apparent they were racing for second money as Kingston Town cantered past to win eased up by 2 ¾ lengths from Red Kilt and 6 lengths to Star Dynasty.
Only 4 others took part in the QTC Derby. By the 600m Prince Ruling led narrowly from Kingston Town then Red Kilt. By the 300m Kingston Town drew to the lead and gradually drew away to win by 2 ¼ lengths from Red Kilt with Prince Ruling third from the deadheaters Golden Inn and Star Dynasty.
Despite the win Kingston Town seemed to race like a tired horse and was later found to be lame so plans to go on to the Brisbane Cup were scrapped and he was spelled for the spring.
Kingston Town was named Horse Of The Year for the 1979-80 season and was allotted 60kg for the Caulfield Cup and 59.5kg for the Melbourne Cup.