Kingston Town returned to racing in the Premiere Stakes at Rosehill. Lady Splendid and Bill’s Heritage led with Kingston Town in 5th to the turn. On straightening Goreham was in front as Prince Ruling and Kingston Town ran to the lead with More Mink making ground further back. By the 200m Kingston Town drew clear under hands and heels from Prince Ruling with More Mink continuing to make ground. Kingston Town looked like he’d win in a canter and was eased up but More Mink was at top speed and lunged on the line. He just missed with Kingston Town in front by a head with Prince Ruling third.

A week later Kingston Town headed to Randwick for the Warwick Stakes starting a 7/2 on favourite. Kingston Town settled midfield on jumping as the field set a slow tempo. By the 900m Al’s Gamble strode to the front from Lord of Persia and Prince Ruling then Checkmate around Belmura Lad and Kingston Town. On straightening Lord of Persia, Prince Ruling, Al’s Gamble and Belmura Lad made a line in front as Kingston Town moved to the centre of the track for his run. Inside the 100m Belmura Lad hit the lead as Kingston Town gave chase. Under hands and heels Kingston Town slowly overhauled Belmura Lad to win by a half length with Al’s Gamble third.

Two weeks later he lined up in the Chelmsford Stakes over 1800m. Around the turn Rio De Janeiro led as Belmura Lad challenged from Kingston Town. By the 200m it was over as Kington Town raced clear to win by 1 ¾ lengths from Belmura Lad with Granite King third.

Until this time no horse had won over 1 million in stakesmoney with Kingston Town and Manikato the likely contenders in Australia. If Kingston Town could win the STC Cup he would become not only the highest stakeswinner in Australian history but the first horse to pass the magic million mark.

In the STC Cup Kingston Town settled fourth outside Lord Warden. By the 900m Al’s Gamble led as Kingston Town started to make ground around the field. Before the turn Kingston Town took the lead under a hold sprinting clear in the straight to win by four lengths from Lord Warden with over 5 lengths to Al’s Gamble third.

Backing up in the George Main Stakes he was dropping back from 2400m to 1600m but it made no difference. By the 900m Jump n Pin led Kingston Town then Our Paddy Boy and My Sir Avon followed by Arbogast and Knight’s Affair. Around the turn Kingston Town soon joined the leader from Our Paddy Boy with Knight’s Affair running on. By the 250m Kingston Town again raced away under hands and heels to win by 2 ¾ lengths from Arbogast and our Paddy Boy in race record time.

Back to Melbourne Kingston Town headed to Caulfield to try and conquer his problems at the track. On settling in the Caulfield Stakes Kingston Town led Moist then Hyperno and Sovereign Red followed by Lawman and Arwon as the field raced in pairs. Little changed until the turn where Kingston Town was challenged by Sovereign Red then Hyperno from Arwon followed by Moist.  Kingston Town fought back strongly and gradually gained the upper hand to draw away winning by 1 ½ lengths with Hyperno third.

Everything looked good for a second Cox Plate but then Malcolm Johnston was suspended with Ron Quinton called in to take the ride. Soon after the start Prince Ruling led from Binbinga then Kingston Town followed by Sovereign Red. By the 1300m little changed with Lawman moving up behind Sovereign Red then Deck the Halls followed by Fearless Pride then Silver Bounty and Belmura Lad. By the 800m Binbinga and Prince Ruling led Kingston Town boxed in by Lawman then Sovereign Red. By the 400m Binbinga led Lawman then Silver Bounty and Prince Ruling with Kingston Town still pocketed between them. On straightening Binbinga and Lawman led as Kingston Town got clear from Silver Bounty and Sovereign Red. Inside the final 70m Kingston Town wore down Lawman to win by ¾ length with Binbinga third.

A week later it was on to the Mackinnon Stakes but y the home turn it was apparent that all was not well. Kingston Town was again uncomfortable with the Flemington track but by the 200m he was under pressure as No Peer challenged. In the final run to the line Belmura Lad stormed by to win by 1 ½ lengths with No Peer nosing out Kingston Town for second.

Doubts appeared regarding the Melbourne Cup as it was suggested that perhaps the old injury was flaring again. After a thorough vet examination Kingston Town was passed fit to run in the Cup three days later. Well back in the field of 22 early Kingston Town made some ground in the middle stages before weakening out of contention eventually passing the post in 20th position. Malcolm Johnston commented to the press that the horse seemed flat and wouldn’t respond. Nor did it seem the leg was of great concern and Kingston Town headed for a spell to prepare for the autumn. On returning his leg seemed fine and Kingston Town resumed training early in the New Year. However by February problems had returned and rather than being on the verge of returning Kingston Town was back in the paddock heading for a lengthy spell with a spring return planned. Again race fans lost their idol for the second half of the season.

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