Duke Of Scotland targets Miracle Mile

Harness racing pundits were asking just how good Duke of Scotland (Sweet Lou) is after his breathtaking win in the Club 4/Club 2 Divided Pace at Albion Park last night.

And it’s possible that following a short let up that Duke of Scotland will prepare for next year’s $1 million Garrards Miracle Mile at Menangle Park on 8 March. The stable has a high opinion of the bay raced by Craig Whiteoak.

Those in attendance watched in awe as Duke of Scotland smashed the track record previously held by Blacks A Dance  by 0.2 seconds recording a mile rate of 1.49.1 for the 1660 metre trip. The New Zealand bred gelding who joined the Chantal Turpin stable mid year has continued to improve leaps and bounds winning 7 of his 11 Australian starts including 4 his last 5 appearances at the Creek.

Last night driver Pete McMullen eased Duke of Scotland from his wide barrier before being caught three wide.

Hiranya showed great speed holding the lead. Duke of Scotland was made to work by Catseye Beach who kicked up in the centre. McMullen allowed Duke of Scotland free rein and he sprinted clear with under a lap to go. From then he had all his rivals off the bit as they tried to make ground. Hiranya tried hard to close the margin, but still free wheeling in front Duke of Scotland cruised to the line 15 metres clear of Hiranya with outsiders Lanai and Dangerzone filling in the minor placings.

His sectionals of 26.6, 27.2 26.9 and 28.3 seconds just reflect how fast Duke of Scotland was travelling throughout the event even being wide for the first lap.

DUKE OF SCOTLAND REPLAY

No doubt Duke of Scotland will have a number of stages to overcome before being selected to run in one of Australia’s prestigious harness racing events but he is sure to be given the best preparation by Chantal Turpin and Pete McMullen who are no strangers to achieving success in big races.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink