Emma Stewart ready to produce a Miracle at Menangle

Trainer Emma Stewart says “things just didn’t go right” for Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) before a shock defeat in the Chariots of Fire, but the superstar harness racing pacer gets his chance at Menangle redemption in this Saturday night’s Miracle Mile.

The four-year-old received one of two invites to the $1million sprint classic after his second placing to Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) in the Chariots and will start from the second widest barrier in the field of eight this weekend.

Stewart told Paul Campbell and Club Menangle’s social channels last Saturday that the horse had pulled up well from what was an off night on February 18.

“He pulled in the prelim which he never does, and we backed off his work a little bit anticipating the trip and the hot weather, so I think he was more fresh than anything and things just didn’t go right for him on the night,” Stewart said.

“He’s good and his run wasn’t bad. I think he still probably would have run 1.49 himself, so it’s not like he dropped out.

“I was still pretty happy with him.”

Stewart will prepare a record four of the eight runners in Saturday night’s Miracle Mile, with Captain Ravishing joined by stablemates Mach Dan (Mach Three), Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere) and Hurricane Harley (Bettor’s Delight).

Mach Dan booked his place in the field with victory in the Newcastle Mile on February 17, while Honolua Bay and Hurricane Harley both progressed via the qualifiers at Menangle last Saturday night.

Honolua Bay backed up his A G Hunter Cup success with a brilliant win in the Allied Express Sprint and is the current Miracle Mile favourite from barrier four.

“He’s ultra-quick and now that he settles in his runs, he can use that at the end,” Stewart said.

“He’s in career-best form and he’s just going terrific.”

Hurricane Harley, who like Honolua Bay was bred and is owned by Bill and Anne Anderson, ran second in the night’s other qualifier, the Schweppes Sprint.

He was having just his fourth run back for Stewart after a stint in Western Australia and will be driven by Amanda Turnbull this weekend.

“He’s a personal favourite of mine – it was great to have him back,” Stewart said.

“He did a good job. They did run slow times which probably played into his hands a little bit having to breeze up, but he likes to get out in front and run along a bit, so it was really pleasing that he got through.”

Mark Pitt has chosen to stick with Captain Ravishing for the Miracle Mile, with Nathan Jack securing the pick-up drive of Mach Dan.

Pitt was at the controls when Mach Dan qualified for the race via a second-straight win in the Newcastle Mile.

“He always flies under the radar,” Stewart said.

“He’s not spectacular like Hurricane Harley or blistering like Honolua Bay… but when the chips are down, I’d have my money on him.”

The Andy Gath-trained Catch A Wave is the other Victorian in the race, with Spirit Of St Louis, Expensive Ego and Braeview Kelly making up the field of eight. Major Meister and Bondi Lockdown are the emergencies.

Saturday night’s Miracle Mile will be run at 9.28pm.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Tim O’Connor for Harness Racing Victoria