Smolda out of Miracle Mile contention

Normally laced with controversy for putting a horse in the Miracle Mile, this year's Group One harness racing sprint is causing just as much discussion for leaving one OUT.

Hunter Cup winner Smolda will not be taking on Lennytheshark and company in the $750,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile on February 28, despite conjecture he may get a special invitation to compete.

Smolda won’t be contesting either of this weekend’s $200,000 “qualifiers”, the Coca Cola Sprint and Cordina Chicken Farms Sprint so his door to the Miracle Mile has effectively closed.

There is a condition for the Miracle Mile that allows directors of the New South Wales Harness Racing Club to issue a wild card to a horse that has not contested the qualifying races . . . but only if exceptional circumstances can be proven.

Smolda’s trainer-driver Mark Purdon did put forward a request for consideration of this condition when he declared the horse could not be nominated for the Sprints but was expected to be fit for racing by Sunday fortnight, Miracle Mile day.

The Menangle-based club’s directors considered his request and his supporting documentation before deciding the circumstances were not exceptional.

NSWHRC chief executive Bruce Christison said it was a difficult situation and although his board was sympathetic towards the case, they also had to ensure that the conditions were being correctly applied for the integrity of the race.

“It would have been an amazing race if Smolda had been there as everyone wanted to see him tackle current Inter Dominion champion Lennytheshark and two-time Inter Dom winner Beautide,” said Christison.

“And there was definitely a desire to include a horse of Smolda’s class.

 “But rules are rules and with only Lennytheshark assured of a run at this point, the remaining selections will come from the three group one races to be held at Tabcorp Park Menangle tomorrow night.”

That fabulous night of racing will see the winner of the Form 700 Chariots of Fire, together with the first and second placegetters in the Coca-Cola Sprint and Cordina Chicken Farms Sprint automatically invited to contest the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile.

That will leave two remaining places in the field and the two emergencies, which will also be selected from Saturday night’s three group one races.

The final Miracle Mile field will be announced at about 10.30 tomorrow night.

For further information telephone NSWHRC Racing Manager David Wonson on (02) 4645 2200.