Mach and Jack looking for cover in Miracle Mile

Victorian harness racing driver Nathan Jack never thought, in his wildest dreams, that he would be driving in this year’s Miracle Mile.

Yet the Emma Stewart-trained Mach Dan upstaged his more-fancied rivals to take out the Newcastle Mile, which gained the gelding an automatic invitation into tomorrow night’s $1m Garrards Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle.

Jack had a two-pronged plan from his barrier two draw in the Newcastle feature, that being to find the pegs first and either steady the speed in front or take a sit on his more-fancied opponents if the speed was too hot.

After burning through a 26-second first quarter, Jack decided to retain the lead as Mach Dan had settled well and felt comfortable.

He was able to back off to run an exceptionally-slow 32.2s split for his second quarter, enabling Mach Dan to have the breather that he needed.

With 400 metres to run, Jack gave Mach Dan full throttle and he dashed home in 26.5s to claim an emphatic victory.

“I doubt that you will ever see a middle half like that again in a Group 1 mile race,” said Jack.

“Going past the bell with 1000 metres to run, I had a little chuckle to myself because I knew that my bloke had re-filled the lungs and had not been pressured at all.

“From there, I just had to hold him together and the horse felt really strong all the way to the line.”

Mach Dan has drawn barrier five tomorrow night, which Jack feels is not all that concerning.

But he admits that it will be hard to get over the top of Belinda McCarthy’s pair, King Of Swing and Spirit Of St Louis.

“Belinda’s horses have drawn perfectly in gates one and two and although Mach Dan is fast out, I cannot see him being able to muster sufficient speed to cross them,” he said.

“Our plan is to come out and find cover to gain an economical run.

“Hopefully then he can finish the race off well.

“Every driver wants to contest the Miracle Mile and I am just pleased to be lucky enough to be in it.”

Newcastle is racing in its regular Friday night spot this evening with an eight-race program, the most interesting contest being the two-year-old event (Race 7).

To view the upcoming Australian meetings click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW