Victorian stars prepare for Menangle assault

Victoria’s formidable assault on next week’s Miracle Mile is likely to be further strengthened after two of its finest harness racing pacers contest the Group 2 Allied Express Sprint at Menangle on Saturday night (Feb. 25).

Honolua Bay (Somebeachsomewhere), winner of a memorable Hunter Cup three weeks ago, is a $3.10 favorite despite his wide draw (barrier eight) while 2022 Chariots Of Fire champion Better Eclipse (Betterthancheddar) is a $3.40 second elect, with the first two across the line receiving an automatic invitation to contest Australia’s premier sprint race.

Last weekend’s Chariots victor Catch A Wave (Captaintreacherous) and Newcastle Mile champ Mach Dan (Mach Three) have already secured a berth, while it is anticipated that superstar pacer Captain Ravishing will receive an invitation to the $1million feature next week.

Reinsman Greg Sugars aired a quiet confidence about the return of Better Eclipse, who hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth behind Captain Bellasario in the Vicbred (4YO E&G) Final.

“He is really good,” Sugars said.

“His work at home has been terrific, he has had two trials and is close to the mark.”

Better Eclipse was subsequently sent to the paddock following the Vicbred Final.

“He got taken on at the start and during the race in the Vicbred, and it was at the end of a long season and he was probably looking for the paddock, so I wasn’t disappointed in him,” he said.

Sugars believes Better Eclipse will relish being back at the spacious surroundings of Menangle.

“He won The Carousel and was placed in the Miracle Mile, he loves the long straight and has never run a bad race there,” he said.

Better Eclipse’s stablemate Triple Eight will take his place in the other Miracle Mile qualifier – the Schweppes Sprint – alongside the Emma Stewart-trained Hurricane Harley, while the Julie Douglas-prepared Inter Dominion runner-up Torrid Saint has drawn the pole in the Allied Express Sprint.

The Stewart stable will also launch a two-pronged attack on the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Mile with last-start feature race winners Tough Tilly ($3.10 fav) and Amore Vita ($9).

Tough Tilly worked around to sit outside the leader before drawing clear in last week’s Group 3 Robin Dundee Stakes, while Amore Vita did likewise when completing a hat-trick of wins in the Group 2 Alabar Bloodstock Ladyship Cup at Melton on February 4.

Chris Alford has been in the sulky behind Amore Vita during the past eight months.

“She has had to dig deep in her past two wins which shows she is back to her best,” Alford said.

The Michael Stanley-trained filly Soho Seraphine, who took out a heat of the NSW Oaks, has been dealt a savage hand at the barrier draw after being allocated the extreme outside position for Saturday night’s $200,000 final.

Not so Isthisjustfantasy, with the Paddy Lee-prepared youngster to line-up from the pole after coming from last to finish fifth in the heat won by highly-fancied Kahlua Flybye.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria