Miracle Mile 2025, Chariots of Fire and MM Lead Up races

[Messenger]

It is the Hondo Grattan Stakes tonight

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC150225#PCM15022502

[Messenger]

10 across the front in a mile at Menangle seems grossly unfair to me
Being the 10 horse has to be the equivalent of a 20m handicap
I imagine most connections would prefer to start from SR1 and SR2 if they drew 9 or 10

[trish]

10 across the front is , IMO puts an impossible task on some horses , even very good ones . Yep 9 & 10 on the back or even 6 & 4 would make it heaps better.

[Messenger]

We have the Paleface on Saturday night
Early markets have equal faves at $4.20 (1&10)

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC220225#PCM22022502

[Danno]

I know I rave about him in my infrequent posts, but just effing WOW!!!!!! That was a brutal demolition at Newcastle and 1.49.0 on that track is something even I thought was out of reach for Leap To Fame....what a horse.

[Messenger]

Agreed Dan, 1.7 secs off the Tk Rec is outstanding

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=NR210225#NRC21022508

Confession: I forgot all about the Newcastle Mile :eek:

[trish]

Brilliant horse.

I hope he gets to just run in the MM but the draw will be important.

[Messenger]

Emma Stewart has half the field in the Chariots. As BoB has drawn the best of them he should be fav but odds on seems short - I suppose they figure the stable will control the race

Swayzee now in one of the Chicken Sprints and set for the MM

PP is right to ask - How can Forty Love only be Em.2 for the Derby heats. There must be some explanation - there is absolutely no way he can't be ranked higher than most of these (including his stablemate) He does have the 5th highest NR of the 32 acceptors!

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC010325

[trish]

PP is right to ask - How can Forty Love only be Em.2 for the Derby heats

This is just wrong IMO , and if I was the owner I would be filthy.



Maybe someone from HRNSW might give us an explanation .
But I will not hold my breath.

[trish]

What field is the strongest for the MM sprints? Race 5 or race 6. ......I reckon race 5.

[trish]

Best way to get the field is run under the clock............one at a time. Why not. At least every horses would get a even chance.
They can bet on the outcome.

[trish]

PP is right to ask - How can Forty Love only be Em.2 for the Derby heats

This is just wrong IMO , and if I was the owner I would be filthy.



Maybe someone from HRNSW might give us an explanation .
But I will not hold my breath.

Mr Dunn said it was his fault?
How do you nom for a final?
I have never been able to nom for a final in the past as the final is made up of heat winners , it has me beat!.
A phone call from HRNSW????

[Messenger]

If someone scratches from Heat 2 (and there has been no other derby scratchings), he would have to be tempted to scratch the stablemate
He owns them both (I think he only trains ones that he owns)

[trish]

If someone scratches from Heat 2 (and there has been no other derby scratchings), he would have to be tempted to scratch the stablemate
He owns them both (I think he only trains ones that he owns)

Yes , that would be the way to go.

https://harnesslink.com/australia/unforced-error-a-costly-one-for-forty-love-2/

I am still at a loss as to how HRNSW would or could accept a nom for a final!!!!


So if that's the case everyone can just nom for a final of say the Inter , the MM any race with a final really.

[trish]

And how did We Walk By Faith get a run in front of The Janitor in the CHARIOTS OF FIRE. The Janitor beat it home easy in the Paleface.

The Janitor was 10th at the 400 , WWBF was 4th at the 400.

[trish]

If someone scratches from Heat 2 (and there has been no other derby scratchings), he would have to be tempted to scratch the stablemate
He owns them both (I think he only trains ones that he owns)

This can now happen if he chooses to go down this path. Hope he does & it makes the final that he is already nommed for.

[Messenger]

Yes, Em.1 has scratched so any other scratching (such as the stablemate if nothing else scratches) he gets a start

No doubt he is hoping for a scratching from Heat 1 or 3 as I think they are better for his chances of qualifying for the final

[trish]

https://www.harness.org.au/media-room/news-article/?news_id=68716

My dad always said a top stayer could sprint.


The seven-year-old will need a top three finish in Saturday night’s Group 2 Cordina Sprint at Menangle to qualify for the $1 million Miracle Mile.


I think it said in the fields that 1st & 2nd qualify for the MM .

[trish]

THE CORDINA GROUP SPRINT

The WINNER and SECOND plaegetters recieve an automatic invite to the Garrards Miracle Mile at Tabcorp Park Menangle on 08/03/2025. Maximum ten (10) starters and two (2) reserves. RBD.

[trish]

Grimson also has former pin-up pacer Captain Ravishing having his first start for the stable against Swayzee on Saturday night.

“I’d love to have got him a bit early because the improvement he’s made in the few weeks he’s been here is enormous,”

Remarkable trainer.

[trish]

Amazing , Mr Dunn did not have to scratch , they are both in . Good luck to him .

[Messenger]

Yes, great to see Trish - I am really looking forward to tonight's quality card

[trish]

Yes agree.
But we are doing the gallops atm. Great racing at F & R.

[Messenger]

LOL - so am I
Bought Best Bets, resubscribed to Stud Book, have Breednet Sale Mail open

[Messenger]

I am pretty sure that Forty Love has qualified for the Derby Final as fastest 4th

[Messenger]

Well a couple of stayers have won the chicken sprints
What became of the Queen Elizabeth mares race which often produced a MM runner?

[Messenger]

I am pretty sure that Forty Love has qualified for the Derby Final as fastest 4th

Think again Kev!

Always Hot was exempt from the heats - never heard of such nonsense for a derby or oaks
So I figure there is not fastest 4th - maybe he will be an emergency again

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/victorias-hot-shot-warms-up-for-nsw-derby-in-style/

[Messenger]

The final field for the $1m Garrards Miracle Mile is:

Leap To Fame

Swayzee

Don Hugo

Catch A Wave

Tact McLeod

Captain Ravishing

Sooner The Bettor

Max Delight

Sure Thing Captain (em1)

Bulletproof Boy (em2).

No controversy this year unless someone wanted to debate the emergencies order

see next page for the Field in Barrier order

[trish]

Think again Kev!

Always Hot was exempt from the heats - never heard of such nonsense for a derby or oaks
So I figure there is not fastest 4th - maybe he will be an emergency again

https://www.thetrots.com.au/news/articles/victorias-hot-shot-warms-up-for-nsw-derby-in-style/

Yes unfortunately , he will be a reserve for sure.

[trish]

Swayzee not a good draw for him . It would be good if he can hold DH out , not sure he can.
LTF draw not great either .

[Messenger]

MIRACLE MILE BARRIER DRAW

$1mil. Group 1. 1609m. Menangle Saturday night.

1. Bulletproof Boy (2nd emerg) $35

2. Swayzee – Cam Hart - $4

3. Don Hugo – Luke McCarthy - $2.50

4. Sooner The Bettor – Gavin Fitzpatrick - $41

5. Captain Ravishing – Jack Callaghan - $8

6. Max Delight – Will Rixon - $51

7. Tact McLeod – Anthony Butt - $16

8. Leap To Fame – Grant Dixon - $2.70

9. Catch A Wave – Kate Gath - $9

10. Sure Thing Captain (1st emerg) - $101

You can see how the draw has made Don Hugo fave
I would prefer it if it was a 6 horse race - from a fair contest point of view (no good for turnover)
What a handicap it is to be coming from 7 or 8

I am not sure he is the horse he was but until the draw I could have been tempted to have a nibble at the Wave but I would have wanted better than $9 (with a decent draw). I like how he has been prepared for this but we know he is a psycho.

LTF did win it from 7 last year

[Danno]

Great draw for Larry because his two main dangers ( on paper) will both get involved in the early hustle ( for differing reasons), I have watched all the qualifiers very closely and I just don't see how Swayzee can come from behind Larry and beat him and I don't think there is another horse in the field that can "blow smoke up his arse". After saying all that I'm having a quinella on 8 and 5. Captain Ravishing IS a horse with issues, he was hanging like a dump truck with a flat front tyre last week ( not new for him) but still got home exceptionally well. I don't like bagging drivers but I don't think Jack and the horse are all that compatible either. Will be a great race I think this is a stronger field than we have seen in a while.

[trish]

MIRACLE MILE BARRIER DRAW

$1mil. Group 1. 1609m. Menangle Saturday night.

1. Bulletproof Boy (2nd emerg) $35

2. Swayzee – Cam Hart - $4

3. Don Hugo – Luke McCarthy - $2.50

4. Sooner The Bettor – Gavin Fitzpatrick - $41

5. Captain Ravishing – Jack Callaghan - $8

6. Max Delight – Will Rixon - $51

7. Tact McLeod – Anthony Butt - $16

8. Leap To Fame – Grant Dixon - $2.70

9. Catch A Wave – Kate Gath - $9

10. Sure Thing Captain (1st emerg) - $101

You can see how the draw has made Don Hugo fave
I would prefer it if it was a 6 horse race - from a fair contest point of view (no good for turnover)
What a handicap it is to be coming from 7 or 8

I am not sure he is the horse he was but until the draw I could have been tempted to have a nibble at the Wave but I would have wanted better than $9 (with a decent draw). I like how he has been prepared for this but we know he is a psycho.

LTF did win it from 7 last year

When it was 6 at Harold Park it was a brilliant race.
Enough said.

[Messenger]

LTF has come into $2.20 fav (Don Hugo has drifted to $2.70)

[Messenger]

Merlin has been scratched from R6 and I think Kanena Provlima gets his spot although I am not 100% certain at the TAB says that Curly James is Em.1

[Messenger]

Catch A Wave and Captain Ravishing are being kept safe with both of them at $9.50
I would need that to be $19.50 before I would have a dabble
The reasons being:
For Catch A Wave it is twofold, he is not always on song and that draw deserves more attractive odds
Grimson is known to perform miracles but he has not had Captain Ravishing long enough to satisfy me that he has made CR more tractable

[Messenger]

I cannot say I have been following the form closely enough but the draw would seem to have made the Derby more interesting

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=PC080325#PCM08032502

[Messenger]

I hope rain does not put a 'dampener' on Saturday's super Menangle program

[trish]

Is the MM on tv?
If not , why not?

[trish]

I hope rain does not put a 'dampener' on Saturday's super Menangle program

NO , we got it all at Yamba!!

[Messenger]

Is the MM on tv?
If not , why not?

Because we are pretty irrelevant I am afraid (what my Gallops following family has told me for decades :( )

With the incredible racing on today in Sydney, Melbourne and NZ, I wonder whether today is ideal for the MM

[Messenger]

Always Hot may be a Very, Very, special horse

[trish]

Because we are pretty irrelevant I am afraid (what my Gallops following family has told me for decades :( )

With the incredible racing on today in Sydney, Melbourne and NZ, I wonder whether today is ideal for the MM

We have been in the local pub for most of the day , after the last gallops race we were the only ones left. That tells a huge story . No one is here to watch the racing at Menangle tonight.

[trish]

So we went home too.

[Messenger]

To be fair we would have to compare it to how many are there for a good evening gallops meet but after such a big day I think we were always going to struggle.
I have to admit to being a bit 'raced out' and have skipped a couple of races for which I will watch the replays tomorrow

Don Hugo is a very tough horse and being able to work to the front was a massive advantage. When we watch the replay we will probably find that there were no bad runs

[trish]

IMO I feel he was "gifted the lead" , and that was that. But good luck to him & them.

[Messenger]

I think it was well know that despite being the fastest beginner Tact Mcleod wants a sit so Don's superior draw sort of gifted it to him

[trish]

I think it was well know that despite being the fastest beginner Tact Mcleod wants a sit so Don's superior draw sort of gifted it to him

Yes & that was a pity because it was never after that point going to be a great race . If Swayzee was in the death they would not have run a 28.5 qtr . LTF could have applied more pressure , but he did not.
LM is a smart driver & it was won as soon as he got to the lead.

[trish]

Always Hot may be a Very, Very, special horse



https://harnesslink.com/australia/always-hot-burns-off-his-rivals-in-nsw-derby/

Very Special & he does it so easy. Beautiful action on him , effortless.

[Messenger]

Sooner The Bettor was absolutely bolting
I wonder whether a 6 horse field would have helped him and Swayzee
We have a big 1400m track and yet horses cannot get a clear run in an 8 horse field, no doubt the short distance is a big contributor to this

[Messenger]

https://harnesslink.com/australia/always-hot-burns-off-his-rivals-in-nsw-derby/

Very Special & he does it so easy. Beautiful action on him , effortless.

I wonder whether the author actually watched the race? There was no second row

[trish]

Sooner The Bettor was absolutely bolting
I wonder whether a 6 horse field would have helped him and Swayzee
We have a big 1400m track and yet horses cannot get a clear run in an 8 horse field, no doubt the short distance is a big contributor to this

Yes , I agree 6 way better in the MM.
Both those horses had NO luck at all . Which is a real shame. It would have been a much better race if they had.

A bit like a jockey who clipped the heels in the Mile race at Flemington yesterday . There were 7 horses in it!!!!!!!

[Messenger]

I was reviewing the Derby again and wondered why Sanchez was not in it (things don't always go to plan) But more interesting, I noticed that Nathan Jack is not training him anymore - I wonder why that is. He won at Wagga on Thursday night for Tayla Nicholson

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EY070325#EYC07032505

[Yabbie]

I was reviewing the Derby again and wondered why Sanchez was not in it (things don't always go to plan) But more interesting, I noticed that Nathan Jack is not training him anymore - I wonder why that is. He won at Wagga on Thursday night for Tayla Nicholson

https://www.harness.org.au/racing/fields/race-fields/?mc=EY070325#EYC07032505

Nathan was disqualified for 9 months in December for positive swab

[Messenger]

Thanks Carol, I missed that. Surprising PP did not report that as he is always on Nathan's case

[trish]

I bet Grant is kicking himself now , for not serving it up to DH in the first half of the MM.