Ladies leading the charge in $1 million Miracle Mile

Impressive harness racing performances from leading contenders at Tabcorp Menangle on Saturday night secured the final spots for next week’s Garrards Miracle Mile.

Both Mach Dan (Mach Three) and Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) had already made their way into the million-dollar feature by winning last week’s Newcastle Mile and Chariots Of Fire respectively, leaving six spots for Australasia’s richest race up for grabs.

Automatic entry was assured for those horses finishing in the top two in both the Allied Express and Schweppes Sprints, which then created the theatre for the wildcard entries to be announced by the board of Club Menangle.

Sydney pacer Spirit Of St Louis (Sweet Lou) bounced back to his brilliant best to win the Schweppes Sprint, defeating Victorian Hammertime Harley, while AG Hunter Cup winner Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere) was most impressive in taking out the Allied Express, sustaining a powerful run from back in the field to run down Expensive Ego (Luke McCarthy).

Then, in the end there were few surprises when both the Queen Elizabeth II winner Braeview Kelly (Bettor’s Delight) and Chariots of Fire runner-up Captain Ravishing (Captaintreacherous) were chosen to take their place in next week’s big Mile.

Braeview Kelly’s effort was nothing short of astonishing as she raced wide for the first half of the race and then finished it off with a 54.9 second last half, cruising to a three metre victory in 1.49.5.

Female trainers will dominate the Miracle Mile with Emma Stewart represented by four runners and Belinda McCarthy two.

Stewart’s achievement to qualify multiple starters has rewritten the record books for the time-honoured race, continuing the dominance the astute mentor has created in modern times in her home state of Victoria.

David Moran, who is a regular driver for the Stewart stable, said that Emma Stewart’s feat was nothing short of amazing after he capped of a satisfying night by qualifying Honolua Bay for next week’s feature.

“It is such a great achievement for any trainer to qualify four for a Miracle Mile,” said Moran. 

“Just to qualify one horse into this famous race is special so it is a real credit to Emma and her team to have four in it. 

“I am almost certain that I will be aboard Honolua Bay for the race.

“He is a machine and what he did on Saturday night was something special.

“He is really in the zone at the moment, producing what he has always promised.”

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW