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The 2013 Miracle Mile is poised to be the best on record, with a talented crop of entrants set to grace the Tabcorp Menangle track this Saturday.
Join us for a live blog this evening as we build up to the 9:30pm start time.
So lets take a look at the field; how they’ll line-up, who will win, who has no chance and why age counts for nothing if you’re a champion horse.
1. Smoken Up
Lance Justice drove Smoken Up to a stunning win in the Cordina Sprint last Saturday night to gain a place in the Miracle Mile. The 11-year-old defied the critics and left the crowd in awe, posting a Mile Rate of 1:49.9 minutes.
The horse has drawn barrier one here and will need to ping off the arm to hold out the other contenders.
Will look to lead all the way as it did last week, although recent history shows it is hard to do the Sprint-Mile double in the space of seven days. Nevertheless, remains a top hope and the favourite with many bookmakers as it stands.
2. For A Reason
Could be caught awkwardly on the pegs here, but has been in impressive form in the lead up and could still figure in the placings. Will look to peel off and find space between runners at the final 400m and in the opinion of many harness experts and dedicated punters alike, For A Reason stands as the one to beat.
3. Mach Beauty
Impressed in the Cordina Sprint, running a 3/4 length second behind eventual winner Smoken Up. Does love to pack on the early speed but may be held in the death with good pace drawn on its inside.
Started $41 on the tote last Saturday night, and you can expect it won’t be anywhere near those lengths this week. Will be in and around the finish. A real chance.
4.Abettorpunt (Emergency 1)
5. Beautide
Gained entry into this event after winning the Newcastle Mile at a sub-1:50 pace.
Could find the one-one here and have a dream run around the rest of the field.
The second-pick with the bookies at this stage, but don’t discount shortening into favouritism before the race starts.
6. Christen Me
Admitted into the field after running in the New Zealand Trotting Cup over 3200m, although in fairness, it wasn’t the best run.
Trial at Menangle on Tuesday along with Abettorpunt. Draws the six gate here, and while history shows that most winners come from this gate at Menangle, may prove a task too strong for the Kiwi pacer.
7. Terror To Love
The New Zealand fan-favourite put in a freakish run to win the Trotting Cup, despite galloping from the outset and handing up a 15-length start to the rest of the field. Found the front and managed to hang on in that run, but won’t be able to do the same here. Will likely be 3-back and 2-wide at the final 400m, but Menangle is a hard place to make up late ground out wide.
8. I’m Victorious
While the name suggests otherwise, most can’t see the Western Australian pacer featuring in the money here. Draws awkwardly and will be forced to ease early, and with plenty of pace upfront may not feature in the race at all.
9. Bitobliss (Emergency 2)
10.Restrepo
Draws the 10 but will come out of the eight after the two emergency horses are removed from the field. The horse’s connections couldn’t have received a worse draw, and will be hoping for a good performance over a good result. Won’t be in the placings.
Tips: 5-1-3-2
Beautide (5) holds the key to this race. Along with Smoken Up (1), the pair will dictate early speed and jostle for the front. Mach Beauty (3) has impressed and knows the Menangle track well, so expect it to fight out the last of the minor placings with For a Reason (2)
For live updates on the night from Menangle follow @theoneonetrots on twitter.
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