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.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Poor old Smoken. Tough to do the Sprint and Mile in a year!
Justin Cinque
Expert
So that concludes our coverage of the Miracle Mile. A Miracle Mile for Tasmania, James Rattray and Beautide.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Last quarter was 26.2s. The winner sat three pegs. Second was outside the lead and third was behind the leader. Smoken Up, the leader, was beaten a long way. He finished fifth. Restrepo had the 1/1 down the back and could only finish sixth.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Im Victorius ran fourth and super from the back.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Official Mile rate is 1:50.2
Justin Cinque
Expert
Christen Me just had to do too much work. He went around them to sit in the death outside Smoken Up. He then took Smoken Up on straightening for home. Christen Me shot clear at the 150m and looked home. But then on the inside appeared Beautide, who shot through to the lead and went on! What a great horse this is! In the Newcastle Mile it was brute speed, tonight it was push-button acceleration after being held up. He's a super pacer. He has so many champion qualities.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Christen Me second after hitting the front at the top of the home straight and looking the winner. For A Reason is third. Smoken Up led and folded. The pressure told.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Beautide up the pegs!! Beautide wins in 1:50.2 The Tasmanian wins it.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Smoken Up just on the corner.
Justin Cinque
Expert
55.4 first half for Smoken Up
Justin Cinque
Expert
Beautide three back on the pegs now.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Racing! Smoken Up holds easily. For A Reason behind the leader. Mach Beauty without cover. Beautide 1/1 but taken back by a Mach Beauty. Restrpo wide.
Justin Cinque
Expert
History about to unfold at Menangle.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Standby for a start!
Justin Cinque
Expert
Smoken Up hasn't lost at Menangle in three years.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Mobile barrier in position. About to score up.
Justin Cinque
Expert
I wonder what the first quarter will be. As Hayes correctly points out the first quarter will have to be sub 26.5s for us to see a sub 1:50 mile rate.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Michael Brennan, trainer Im Victorious, says he's excited by the occasion. The horse should travel on the inside about four or five back on the pegs. "He'll be there when the whips are cracking'
Justin Cinque
Expert
So two minutes away from the start of the Miracle Mile.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Luke McCarthy is going to drive For A Reason with the aim of getting the coveted spot behind the leader. He's hoping to get a charmed run before swamping the tiring leaders in the last furlong.