Miracle Mile Meeting culmination of feature racing

On Saturday night national attention will be focused on Menangle’s feature racing with the highlight being the Group 1 $1 million Miracle Mile.

This edition looks one of the best contested events ever staged with the eight runners all having won feature races in their careers.

Heading the lineup is Australia’s leading stake earner Leap To Fame. The star earned the plaudits last week in the qualifying free for all when after he raced three wide and then outside the leader and was still too strong for his rivals. If the emergency comes out then he’ll start from four and he’ll be up with the leaders.

Outstanding four year old Captains Mistress faces her biggest task against such an elite field. In all her races she has burned off her rivals with sheer speed. Trainer Jason Grimson gave a clue when he indicated that he preferred Captains Mistress to sit back from the start if he decides to run her.

Swayzee has drawn the pole and although he’s not generally a fast beginner there is growing confidence that in the Miracle Mile that he can hold the lead early. And if does he’ll take no end of beating as he has currently racing in the best form of his career.

Cameron Hart who drives both Swayzee and Captains Mistress faced a daunting task of selecting between the pair but in the end has opted for Swayzee which must boost his chances. Jye Coney will take the reins on Captains Mistress.

The Janitor impressed everyone when he came storming home last Saturday in winning the other Free For All. He’s likely to be back in the field but if the pace is on all the way expect him to be rattling home at the finish.

Trainer Luke McCarthy has a real challenge with Kingman who scraped through after tiring notably last week. He’s drawn favourably in two and can be expected to challenge for the lead but he’ll need to improve on his last run. McCarthy’s other runner Don Hugo looked desperately unlucky last week when he was disappointed for a run. He’s drawn out in eight which makes his task difficult but if he obtains a spot close to the leaders expect him to run on.

There are high hopes for former New Zealander Chase A Dream and he gives every indication that he will match it amongst the best. He’ll be driven by Will Rixon and a forward showing wouldn’t surprise. The other confirmed  runner is the marvellous veteran Bulletproof Boy who gained entry with his win in the Newcastle Mile. He’s regarded a giant killer but it maybe too much to expect him to take on this field.

There is a superb supporting card. The $100,000 Group 1 Hammerhead Trotters Mile brings together the nation’s leading trotter Keayang Zahara and the outstanding Queenslander Gus who won two features in New Zealand.

There are plenty who think that Gus will worry Keayang Zahara but she’s drawn in four and is so versatile that it’s expected that she will lead and Gus will have to come from well back over the flying mile which may be too much to expect.

The $200,000 Group 1 New South Wales Pacers Derby is highlighted with the presence of the unbeaten Hollywood Strip who despite drawing the widest is still expected to show his class against the three year olds. Brad Hewitt’s colt has a dazzling turn of speed and if as expected he finds the lead and gets a breather then he should be too strong.

The Jason Grimson trained pair Showmethetanlines and Zeus Lightning looked very sharp winning their heats and will be prominent with a slight preference for Zeus Lightning. Michael Stanley has four runners with Soho Trump having the more favourable draw in four compared to his stablemates.

The Queenslander Fire And Passion may have been a shade disappointing when he finished second after having every chance but he could be expected to improve.

The Raith Memorial for three year old fillies is an open race. The Luke McCarthy trained Ripples finished an admirable second to the older mare Tokyo Rose and she will appreciate this company. The highly promising Sparkling Sea is lightly raced and although drawn wide will be prominent. The Queensland filly Havetimetodream faces her biggest test but she has ran fast times at her last three wins at Albion Park.

The Group 2 Free For All  brings together a strong field. Rakero Rocket who is unlikely to get a start in the Miracle Mile looks well placed to go straight to the lead where he’ll be hard to beat. Stablemate Hi Manameisjeff also possesses high speed while the Queenslander Speak The Truth is drawn to be in the finish.

The Geelong Cup meeting is the highlight in Victoria and has put together a disappointing six horse field for the $20,000 feature. The much improved Smokin Ace is ideally drawn from the pole while the Emma Stewart trained pair of Mach Dan and Oliver Dan appear the main dangers.

Over in the West the main race is the MightyQuinn Pace. The race sees the return of the talented pacer Justcallmemiki and although first up should take beating if he can get across. If you can forgive Minos for his last start in general he’s much improved and this race should be to his liking.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink