Braeview Kelly out to defy Miracle Mile history books

Exciting mare (Bettor’s Delight) will have to defy harness racing history and the betting marks to win Saturday night’s $1 million Miracle Mile at Menangle.

Trainer Jack Trainor concedes the enormity of the task, but will be shocked if his new stable star doesn’t run a huge race.

Braeview Kelly is the rank outsider at $41 and is trying to become just the third mare to win Australasia’s premier speed test since it was first run in 1968 and the first since in a decade. The three mares to win have been: Baby Bling (2013), Norms Daughter (1996) and Robin Dundee (1968).

“I know we’ve got it all against us, but I’ve got a lot of faith in this mare,” Trainor said.

“Ever since she had a spell after going down to Melbourne late last year, she’s just come back a different horse.

“As much as I thought she was the one to beat in the Queen Elizabeth last week, even I was pleasantly surprised she was able to do as much work as did for the first half of the race and still keep going.

“It was an enormous win and Cam (Hart, driver) said she still felt strong on the line.”

Braeview Kelly will be the New Zealand-born Trainor’s second Miracle Mile runner after another mare, Stylish Memphis, finished sixth two years ago.

“Stylish Memphis drew the outside and she was completely out of play. She was also backing-up for the fifth consecutive week in that Miracle Mile,” he said.

“Braeview Kelly is at least as good as Stylish Memphis at the same time, but in a different way. She’s not as brilliant, but probably stronger.

“And she’s drawn better, which is crucial. She’ll start from (gate) five and depending on how many burn out at the start, I’m hoping she settles just worse than midfield. I’ll leave the tactics to Cam (Hart), but dropping to the pegs wouldn’t be a bad option if he gets it.

“I’m sure she’ll be very competitive, but this is a fantastic field with so much depth. It’s going to be a big test.”

Trainor, a top driver himself, is happy to watch from the sidelines and let Hart do the Miracle Mile driving.

“The way I see it, Cam was good enough to qualify her last week with that win, so he should stay on,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Adam Hamilton, for Harness Racing Australia