A star-studded field will be shooting for one of the most sought-after trophies in Australian harness racing with the Miracle Mile up for grabs at Menangle on Saturday night.
The Miracle Mile is one of three Group 1 features on a quality program that also features the NSW Derby and Hammerhead Trotters Mile.
Race-by-race preview of Menangle, Saturday March 9.
Race 1: BUBBA GUMP PEST CONTROL FFA
HOT AND TREACHEROUS (1) comes off a midfield finish in a Miracle Mile qualifier last week and could relish the step up in distance having won over this trip here three back in his first outing for the Grimson yard. He is drawn to enjoy the favours and is well placed. CANTFINDABETTORMAN (10) may have found the mile a touch sharp in his last two outings so is suited up to a distance where he has recorded a win and two placings from three attempts. Draws wide but is capable. BONDI LOCKDOWN (3) has been coming from wider barriers of late so can do better from this more favourable draw. PETES SAID SO (4) wasn't too far from the placings from this barrier last week. Can be competitive again. CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD (7) is fitter for recent racing and could measure up after tackling the G1 Chariots of Fire last week.
Race 2: CONDELL PARK PRODUCE BABY BLING STAKES
BRAEVIEW KELLY (7) is a quality mare who races well third-up so should be reaching her peak after placing in both starts since a spell. Runner up against the boys last week after a third behind Illavabubbles when resuming but draws inside that rival tonight so could turn the tables. Very hard to knock ILLAVABUBBLES (9) who has won all five starts at this circuit and distance since joining Jason Grimson. This is the widest draw she has had at this venue but is going well enough to overcome it. JILLIBY WILLOW (2) brings strong form from Victoria with back-to-back wins including the Terang Cup. Yet to miss a place at this distance and draws well. MANHATTAN (8) crosses from NZ with a string of wins and placings against good company, last seen when third at G1 level at Addington. Now with Jack Trainor and can measure up. ITS EBONYNIVORY (1) gets the ace draw and will enjoy the return to her own sex having scored a fresh win here two back.
Race 3: FIRECOAT SAPLING STAKES (GROUP 3)
ULTIMATE CRUZA (5) is showing good promise with easy wins in his two starts to date, last time racing three wide without cover from a back row draw but proving far too good. Comes to the city for the first time but is aided by a better draw and looks up to this. SWEET ON LEXY (7) had been trialling well and started a hot favourite on debut but raced greenly before getting home narrowly at Bathurst. Better for the experience so can progress. SOHO THE REAL DEAL (9) took advantage of the inside draw to lead and win on debut at Newcastle. Tougher from this barrier but has upside. SPRINGFIELD AMORE (12) is another who cops a tough draw but there was merit in his debut win at Wagga. SOVEREIGN PLACE (1) is open to improvement after finishing runner up here on debut and is aided by the ace draw.
Race 4: YABBY DAM FARMS 2024 YEARLINGS HAMMERHEAD TROTTERS MILE (GROUP 1)
CONSTANTINOPLE (10) takes on the big guns tonight but he loves it here, last week working forward to lead before going on to score by 12m. That took his Menangle record to eight from nine and while back in distance he is three from three at the mile. Draws out but is going well enough to overcome that. European import CALLMETHEBREEZE (9) claimed the scalp of champion trotter Just Believe in winning the Great Southern Star two back at Melton before looking a little off his game when fourth to that same rival last time. He has won seven of 13 at the mile. Big chance with his A-game. ARCEE PHOENIX (7) sat parked and went under by just a nose behind Just Believe last start at Melton, easily beating Callmethebreeze home. Player from a similar draw. IM READY JET (1) placed in this race last year from a much wider barrier. Respect from the ace draw. KEAYANG CHUCKY (3) has taken big steps this campaign and is drawn to be competitive.
Race 5: SLINGSBY HOLDINGS NSW DERBY (GROUP 1)
The draw has fallen perfectly for boom Kiwi WE WALK BY FAITH (1). He had enough pace to work to the front from the outside draw for a soft win in last week's heat, his first Australian outing. He comes into this third up so should be peaking and will be hard to catch if he can control the race from the front. NATHAN STREET (6) broke early but came home strongly to miss Bay Of Biscay by just a head last week. He is already a G1 winner at this circuit where he owns a 50 per cent strike rate. Could threaten. BAY OF BISCAY (4) was brave in last week's heat when he came from this same barrier to lead before digging deep. He won his only previous third-up attempt so should have come on further. SERGEANT LOU (10) draws wider than in his Simpson Memorial win here last time but that made it three from three this time in so he must rate highly. RAVISHING SLOY (9) also cops a wider draw than in his heat win but his strike rate here is impressive and he will be peaking.
Race 6: AINSWORTH AUSTRALIAN LIGHT HORSE FFA (GROUP 2)
BETTER ECLIPSE (2) has been performing well against the top level all campaign and gets the right draw tonight. He was fourth two back in the Hunter Cup and midfield in the Allied Express Sprint here last week. Yet to miss a place at this circuit and distance and was a Melton winner over Dont Stop Dreaming from the ace draw three back. ROCK N ROLL DOO (7) has been ticking along well, placing here two back before a fourth in last week's Cordina Group Sprint. He will be hitting peak fitness fourth up. CAPTAINS KNOCK (9) did a great job for a 2.5m third from a wide draw in the Chariots of Fire last week. Taking on older rivals but won his lone try at this longer distance and is reliable. Not a great draw for ITS MERLIN (12) but his Chariots effort was sound and his best is good enough to win. The ace draw brings CANTFINDABETTORMAN (1) right into contention.
Race 7: GARRARDS MIRACLE MILE (GRAND CIRCUIT EVENT)
HI MANAMEISJEFF (7) was terrific in last week's Allied Express Sprint win when he had enough gate speed to cross from the extreme outside to find the front before fighting strongly in the run home. These conditions suit him perfectly as he is unbeaten in nine starts at Menangle and six attempts over the mile. From a lower draw he should have the gate speed to push for the front again he will be hard to catch from that position. LEAP TO FAME (9) cops a tough draw but is taking all before him with a remarkable string of wins. The mile may be short of his best but he comes into this fresh to keep the sprint in his legs and a high pressure affair that becomes a staying test would be ideal. Class will take him close. SPEAK THE TRUTH (1) took a big step up when winning from the extreme outside last week. He is progressive and must be a player from the ace draw. Chariots of Fire winner FRANKIE FEROCIOUS (10) draws widest but he is flying and possesses the gate speed to find a prominent spot.
Race 8: ULTRA AIR J L RAITH MEMORIAL (GROUP 3)
MILLWOOD BLISS (12) is a smart filly who easily won her first four starts in NSW before heading south and placing in all three rounds of the Breeders Crown series, last seen when third in the Group 1 final. Unbeaten fresh and has been readied with a trial win. She is good enough to overcome the wide draw and beat these. LIBBY LOU (8) ended her last campaign with back-to-back wins at this circuit, last seen when cruising home by 11m in the Breeders Challenge Eastern Region Final in December. Readied with two trials, winning the latest. Go well. RYLEE RHAYNE BOW (2) worked when resuming in Brisbane. She is two from two when second-up so will be improved and is aided by a better draw. SOHO HONEY RIDER (5) does her best work at this distance and could play a role.
Race 9: ACCESS GROUP SOLUTIONS STAKES
SURE THING CAPTAIN (6) is well placed dropping in grade. He drew widest and placed when resuming in the Paleface Adios here two back before tackling the G1 Chariots of Fire last week. He'll be at peak fitness third up and is suited in this company. MAJOR MAJOR (8) continues to race well at this circuit, placing in his last three outings to follow a string of wins. Wider draw but is going well enough to play a role again. DON HUGO (7) is progressive and won here last start, beating a subsequent Chariots of Fire placegetter. Steps up in grade and draws wider but could take the next step. ARGENT PEAK (4) is another rising in class but he is on the up having come from much wider to complete a winning hat trick here last time.
BEST BETS:
Race 1 #1 Hot And Treacherous – well placed back in grade and gets the inside draw.
Race 2 #7 Braeview Kelly – building nicely and draws inside her main rival this time.
