[VVV] Leigh, I think you're in need a Yardstick moreso than I'm in need of a new Clock.
Menangle is a big track & it is fast, even in the middle of Winter they can run quick times.
In the warmer weather, Spring/Summer, with the right temperature & humidity levels & with the right early tempo (all of which were present on this occasion), it is lightning fast. Not only that, but the warmer it gets out there the more speed holds up on the lead.
By way of a Yardstick, a C3-C5 going in 1:54.6 at Menangle is a C3-C5 going in the early to mid 1:59's at HP...which is, surprise, surprise, a time that's close to what he clocked at Albury (a pretty tight half miler) as was noted by Breno. Further to all that, the horse had won his previous start by near 14m over the half miler track at Wagga in 2:01 for 1755m.
For him to then step out at Menangle over the 7/8ths track & go 1:54.6 for a race that's 146m shorter, i.e 1609m as compared to 1755...it's not a 'bolt from the blue' mile really.
For the sake of the exercise, what would you think the speed differential is (as expressed in seconds) between the 1755m at Wagga and the 1609m at Menangle? I've got a pretty good idea what it is from HP to Menangle. Interested in what you think it is from Wagga to Menangle.