‘Dynamic duo’ have their work cut
AUSTRALIA’S top two pacers are there – but pacing’s ‘dynamic duo’ might have their work cut out to win next week’s $1million Miracle Mile.
Leap To Fame won the first qualifying heat at Menangle tonight, while his older rival Swayzee could scarcely have been more impressive, finishing second to The Janitor in the other qualifying sprint.
Yet the ‘swoopers’ will get their chances with Chase A Dream, The Janitor and last week’s Newcastle Mile winner Bulletproof Boy all deserving their spots in next week’s big Group One.
Throw in the sensational winner of the Chariots Of Fire in the shape of the flying four-year-old mare Captains Mistress and harness racing looks to be heading for one of our greatest Miracle Miles yet next Saturday night.
Just to ensure that’s the case, selectors also added defending champion Don Hugo to the field and gave his trainer-driver Luke McCarthy a second string to his bow when New Zealand Cup winner Kingman was also issued the last invitation.
“We wanted the best possible field – it’s as simple as that,” said Club Menangle Chief Executive Bruce Christison in announcing the final field. “The club really appreciated trainers bringing horses here to Menangle to compete for the spots and the racing has been nothing short of sensational.
“I seriously think with such an incredible field we are getting ready for one of the great Miracle Miles.”
Leading reinsman Cameron Hart would agree as he faces one of the toughest decisions of his career with the option of piloting Swayzee or Captains Mistress.
“Swayzee is such a beast. It’s hard to find the words to say just how much I love him,” said Hart after Swayzee raced without cover for the entire journey and finished the gutsiest of seconds in the Biowarma Sprint.
The winner overcame a sticky barrier and after settling three-back on the pegs came with a dash in the straight.
“I had to pinch myself that we were running past horses like Swayzee and Kingman,” said a delighted McMullen as the champion Queensland reinsman returned with a certain Miracle Mile invitation in his keeping.
Earlier in the night the mighty Leap To Fame showed his customary courage to hold off a first-class field in taking out the International Animal Health Sprint in a 1:48.6 mile.
Grant Dixon’s champion pacer pulled out all stops to hold off Chase A Dream and the unlucky Don Hugo in a driving finish.
The barrier draw made things even more interesting with Swayzee drawing two and expected to come from gate one when the second emergency comes out, as expected.
The final field, in barrier order is:
- Speak The Truth (2nd em)
- Swayzee
- Kingman
- Captains Mistress
- Leap To Fame
- The Janitor
- Chase A Dream
- Bulletproof Boy
- Rakero Rocket (1st em)
- Don Hugo.
