Harness racing’s Miracle Mile carnival rolls on this Saturday night as the $100,000 Cordina Sprint takes place at Tabcorp Park, Menangle.
The race provides the 10 competitors a final chance to secure an invitation to next week’s grand circuit event.
Five names have already been confirmed in what is shaping up as one of the strongest Miracle Mile fields in recent memory, with last year’s champion Beautide once again the one to beat with some dominant victories in recent weeks.
As with the vast majority of Group 1 mile races at Menangle, a very fast first quarter is ensured this Saturday with a number of noted leaders and on-speed runners in the Cordina field.
Blazin N Cullen, Mark Dennis, Devil Dodger and Bettor Bet Black will all fancy their chances of getting to the fence in the charge to the first turn, but the lightning-fast Suave Stuey Lombo, with a driver hell-bent on leading aboard in Lauren Panella, will be aiming to bullock his way to the lead and is expected to do so.
The Shane Tritton-trained gelding (currently trading at $1.30 with TAB.com.au), has enjoyed a stellar season thus far, winning three of his five starts, with two of those victories coming over Beautide. This class factor leads many to believe the horse affectionately known as ‘Stuey’ will be winning this Saturday night and booking his place in the Miracle Mile.
Betting markets indicate that it is hard to find a horse capable of causing an upset, however Belinda McCarthy’s four-year-old superstar Bling It On currently sits as second favourite ($4.50). This horse is a somewhat unknown quantity in these open class events, but his record as a two and three-year-old is nothing short of incredible, boasting a 72 per cent win record and having already earned upwards of $700,000 in prize money.
It will be very interesting to see whether or not the star youngster can mix it with his more tried and tested rivals.
Of the rest of the field, a lot of the chances will depend on the outcome of the early speed battle. Victorian trainer David Aiken brings Cold Major to Menangle to add an extra element of mystery to the race, while fellow talented Victorian Abettorpunt will be trying to improve on last week’s fifth placing in the Coca-Cola sprint.
John Tapp’s Menangle fast-class regular Chariot King will throw its hat into the ring yet again, while one of Shane Tritton’s other entrants into the race, Laterron, has been in top form since coming to the stable, and is an outside chance.
Several quality races surround the Cordina Sprint on Saturday night, with heats of the Beautide championship continuing for the M0’s. Three heats of the Smoken Up championship also take place on the night, featuring some of the region’s best open class horses.
The square gaiters get a run in the final event, as the second heat of the Franco Australian Trotters championship takes place.
ThomasHudson9
Roar Pro
I agree it will be a super quick first half, but I feel the horses I mentioned may be happy to take a sit on SSL. If they let it sit outside of them, that is virtually suicide the way Panella drives. Cold Major would be best dropping to the markers for sure, in behind the early speed. Beautide won last year's Miracle Mile from 3-pegs. It's a good place to be.
Adam Page
Roar Guru
There is no way I'd take $1.30 for Suave Stuey Lombo. There is absolute speed galore with the runners you've just mentioned. I think he is a real risk at that price. There are two runners I like here- Bling It On and Cold Major. Bling It On is the new kid on the block, and while he probably isn't ready for the big time just yet, he does look to get conditions to suit. It will be a very hot speed, possibly a 54/55 opening half, and with Bling It On, he is usually on the speed. Coming from behind, as we have seen in the past, can allow him to unleash a powerful finishing burst, and he will be strong at the end of 1609m, unlike Suave Stuey Lombo, who be paddling the last little bit. Cold Major is the interesting one, what do they do from the draw? Do they drop to the pegs, possibly sit three/four back? Sitting there at Menangle isn't as bad as what it can be at other tracks...so do they drive for luck and get the economical trip or stay one off and look for a drag up to blouse them late?