Is Smoken Up the best Miler Ever

[p plater]

After watching this freak of a horse at 11 do what he did tonight in 1.49.9, is he the best ever or is there another from years past before I started to follow the sport.

[doinmabest]

Bailey,
Double Agent won a MM at 13 but it would be hard to find any pacer that has dominated the distance the way Smoken Up has, especially at the 1609m.... two MM (could well be three after next week) couple of Len Smith Miles, 2 sub 1.50.0 wins.... He truly rates as one of the all time greats and whilst I often ponder how fast Popular Alm might of gone on a track like Menangle, for now I couldn't think any horse before Trigger is able to match his record

[p plater]

Fred, another top call tonight to add to the theatre of it. I hope they get a big crowd next week....its going to be a quick one. Lance said tonights run will top him up.
You better practice calling faster.

[Danno]

Guys in my humble opinion, Smoken Up well and truly has hit the legend status with that win last night, you can never fairly compare horses from different eras, but old trigger has the tenacity of Pure Steel, the brilliance of Popular Alm, the grit of Westburn Grant, the genuineness of Blacksafake and the durability of Paleface Adios, as I said, after that run last night I personally reckon he has earned the legend status, gee it was a thrill to watch and he is going to give next weeks race one hell of a shake, to be honest I reckon if he leads and reproduces that effort, there is not a horse in the race that will get by him, and I am a big fan of Beautide, who I reckon he is a rising superstar but another run like that from trigger and it will take an unbelievable effort to run him down.

[Richard prior]

Totally agree Dan, He's all of the above rolled into one and a true legend of the sport. As you said, If he leads I think he will be very hard to run down. The other horses and drivers will need to bring their 'A' game and Smoken Up really put the cat amongst the pigeons with that run last night. I'm pretty sure that a few of the other trainers might have discounted him as a threat and it's all going to come down to driving tactic's. If you let him lead and leave him alone, he will run fractions that should take the sting out of the back markers. It's going to be interesting to see who's brave enough to take him on, that's for sure. Have no doubt that that it will take a Supersonic time and performance to beat old Trigger.

[littlelenny]

Bailey I remember Tappy said that a while ago on in the gig and after last night i think he probably cemented that title fair and square. 11 years of age wide draw breaks 150 and does all the work he definetly is one special animal.

[Mighty Atom]

Some time ago I stated that there wasn't much'' Smoken Up '' left in those old tyres, well, I am happily eating my humble pie. As I said to Paul ( Toohard ) that he would shake the life out of the Cordina and I could't believe the starting price. The best miler ever and without a doubt if any horse deserves to win an unprecedented third Miracle Mile it's Trigger. By the way , hope you had a great night up at Menangle last night Paul, I'm sure that goes without saying.

[Toohard]

Some time ago I stated that there wasn't much'' Smoken Up '' left in those old tyres, well, I am happily eating my humble pie. As I said to Paul ( Toohard ) that he would shake the life out of the Cordina and I could't believe the starting price. The best miler ever and without a doubt if any horse deserves to win an unprecedented third Miracle Mile it's Trigger. By the way , hope you had a great night up at Menangle last night Paul, I'm sure that goes without saying.

Couldnt get there last night Rod. Had something on. But nothing stop us being there next week. Cut long story short..last night stuck in chinatown melbourne. Couldnt find TAB to watch. So rang home and got me son to call race over phone. I in laneway in Chinatown yelling head off. Sons call of race just magic as u can imagine. Got some very strange looks. When got back inside didn't get asked who won. Think could tell for some reason. Bags packed. Accomodation booked. Go Trigger!!

[Greg Hando]

Most definately the best miler we in this country have seen IMO. I think we will see a new Australasian record in MM providing the weather holds up, and the winner will be For A Reason i think.

[Maorisidol]

11 Years old runs Track Record at Ballarat tonite 1:53.1
Best ever Miler? Yes.
Restrepo disappointing was pushed by Gavin in straight and actually lost ground as he sat on Triggers back.
Keeyang Cullen Huge sitting in the death as he came out and pushed Trigger in a 26 something 1st quarter.

[Smoken]

Just WOW!

[Richard prior]

Smoken Up is simply without peer over the mile and the facts and figures show that, In his 6 big wins at Menangle, his average speed for the mile is 1.50.6, this is astonishing. I to would have loved to see horses of the calibre of Popular Alm and Mount Eden go around on a track like Menangle. It's very hard to compare horses from a different era's but old Trigger has certainly set the standard for years to come. Last nights race was another head shaking performance, he's taken 6/10ths off the track record as a 11yr old. I remember years ago they brought Village Kid back as an old horse and he time trialled in a World Record time for older pacers. It would be great to see trigger attempt something like this before he retires or even as his swan song and this would certainly cement his place with the Immortals of pacing if he could achieve it. He's certainly achieved immortal status in our part of the world already.

[p plater]

Richard, I read somewhere that Smoken Up's 1.49.9 at Menangle a few weeks ago was a World Record for an 11yo

[Smoken]

Triggers run of 149.9, made him the fastest 11yr old ever. Being able to run these times at his age, defies logic,
Unbelievable warrior!

[Richard prior]

Thanks for that guys, I probably overlooked it. Hope Xmas was good to all. Pretty sure that Paul (Toohard) and his young bloke Luke would have been there last night.

[p plater]

What a fighter, great to watch tonight.
Hope the press writes some good stories about Trigger and not the other current event involving Douglas.....the sport needs it

[Messenger]

Maybe the sport needs both - we have to get rid of the maggots. I wonder whether half the big boys aren't cheats. Had a well known racing identity say to me that harness may not exist in a few years (no doubt partly stirring me) but maybe as a hobby enthusiasts sport it would be cleaner.

[Smoken]

What a horse! Sends shivers down my spine every time I watch him run!
King Kong! Amazing!

[arewetheiryet]

imagine how many races he would have won with a good driver

[Lenem]

imagine how many races he would have won with a good driver
I'm not a fan of LJ as a driver or as a person (comes across as very arrogant) but I doubt that anyone could have driven SU any better!

[Richard prior]

Have to agree with all your comments Lenny, Smoken Up really suits Lance' style of driving, Handlebars down and I guess we will never know if the horse could have achieved his lofty feats if driven differently.

[Mighty Atom]

Maybe the sport needs both - we have to get rid of the maggots. I wonder whether half the big boys aren't cheats. Had a well known racing identity say to me that harness may not exist in a few years (no doubt partly stirring me) but maybe as a hobby enthusiasts sport it would be cleaner.

Hi Kevin,
Agree with every word you said there. I'm a cynical person by nature and when I see huge improvements in racing performances (one horse I could name but won't of course) and generally trained by one of the ''big boys'' I'm left more than wondering. I think your racing identity friend has a pretty good insight with regards to harness racing not existing in a few years (personally,I'll give it about 10) and if it does survive it will exist in a much reduced state. I hope this is not the case but when greyhound racing has overtaken harness racing for the punting dollar you have to worry for the future of the sport.

[littlelenny]

He definitely a warrior who still loves going to war and IMO Lance is probably the best man for the job. Love watching him race and when he does hang up his gig he'll be missed. Along with Blackie and Quinny he's played a major role in bringing the crowds back to the track.

[brent_L]

I see he's entered on Fri night in the Sokyola Sprint. Has me wondering why not Menangle on Sunday in the Len Smith?? Can anyone shed some light?

[Messenger]

? Because he was unable to win a C7+ at Kilmore on Saturday?

[p plater]

Greg Hayes ‏@GregHayes78 (https://twitter.com/GregHayes78) 7h (https://twitter.com/GregHayes78/status/458425757786578944) Smoken Up won't race at Menangle in the Len Smith. Trainer Lance Justice says he is one run short of being at peak fitness.

[Toohard]

Don't be knocking him. He had good opposition in C7+ at Kilmore Saturday. And gave us a huge buzz. We the 2..he the 7... AWESOME!!!

[arlington]

Don't be knocking him. He had good opposition in C7+ at Kilmore Saturday. And gave us a huge buzz. We the 2..he the 7... AWESOME!!!


Great photo Paul, one to cherish.

[p plater]

Paul, from your photo he does look a bit big, what was he like in the flesh.

[Smoken]

I'm spewing he isn't in the Len Smith mile, but if he's not at his peak fitness, which I actually didn't think he would be after a short little break, no point racing him against the likes of Beautide and FAR etc.
What will he do from barrier 8 @ Melton?
What a shitty draw, and he has CP to contend with, as well as a few other good sorts!

[Danno]

Good call from the camp not taking him to Menangle IMO, if anything can beat Beautide it won't be Smoken Up, the horse is a legendary warrior, a horse we would all love to have had or one that was even half as good, but there comes a time for all of us when our best is not in front of us but behind us.

Superstar horse that should never be treated as anything but exactly that.

cheers,
Dan

[Messenger]

Don't be knocking him. He had good opposition in C7+ at Kilmore Saturday. And gave us a huge buzz. We the 2..he the 7... AWESOME!!!

You only have to look at my sig to know I would not be knocking him Paul - was just trying to answer Brent's question and meaning he is not in Len Smith form (while of course very mindful of the good opposition he had at Kilmore ;))

[Maorisidol]

Good call from the camp not taking him to Menangle IMO, if anything can beat Beautide it won't be Smoken Up, the horse is a legendary warrior, a horse we would all love to have had or one that was even half as good, but there comes a time for all of us when our best is not in front of us but behind us.

Superstar horse that should never be treated as anything but exactly that.

cheers,
Dan

Totally agree Danno, regardless of fitness Len Smith with Beau, FAR etc not the place to be, unless he was guaranteed to lead and be a 1500m race...
In the Sokyola from barrier 8 i see no chance of him winning at all. I hope i am wrong!

[Smoken]

I also can't see the champ winning from 8 draw.
What a crap draw. What can he do? Drag right back in 1720m race.. I also hope I'm very wrong!!!

[Toohard]

Paul, from your photo he does look a bit big, what was he like in the flesh.

He looked OK to me. Didn't think he was disappointing. 56 sumfin last 800 about as quick as they go around there on a cold night and the winner had beautiful sit on him.