Miracle Mile 2014

[aussiebreno]

Now the first invite has been handed to Beautide it must be time to create the Miracle Mile thread.

Nov 8: Newcastle Mile ($75K)
Nov 15: Coca Cola Sprint ($100K)
Nov 22: Cordina Sprint ($100K)
Nov 29: Miracle Mile ($750K)


The conditions for the Miracle Mile are as follows:

(a) At the discretion of the Board of Directors the reigning Miracle Mile winner would be issued an invitation based on current form however if connections accepted the invitation the horse would be permitted to contest only one automatic invitation event. The decision on an invitation would be made prior to the close of nominations for the Newcastle Mile;

(b) The winner of the Newcastle Mile would automatically receive an invitation to the Miracle Mile however would not be permitted to contest another automatic invitation event;

(c) At the discretion of the Board of Directors further invitations may be issued prior to the close of nominations for the Coca Cola Sprint however those invitations would be restricted to horses which faced the difficulties of travel which may affect their performance in the Miracle Mile if compelled to compete in an automatic invitation event. Those horses however if accepting an invitation would not be permitted to contest an automatic invitation event;

(d) The winner of the Coca Cola Sprint would automatically receive an invitation to the Miracle Mile however would not be permitted to contest a further automatic invitation event (Cordina Sprint);

(e) The winner of the Cordina Sprint would automatically receive an invitation to the Miracle Mile;

(f) The remainder of the field would be invited at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors following the Cordina Sprint taking into consideration only those horses which contested the Coca Cola Sprint and the Cordina
Sprint;

(g) The minimum field size would remain at six (6) horses whilst the maximum field size would be restricted to eight (8) horses with two reserves drawn in the barriers.




I don't know why persist with condition g. It will always be 8 runners.

What will the field look like?

Beautide obviously.

Suave Stuey Lombo looks to have a good hold on the Newcastle Mile.

NZ makes things interesting. On what's been happening just about say Terror To Love and Christen Me run quinella and both worthy of invite. Is For A Reason going? He could quite easily upset those two.

Who will win the other local qualifiers? Avonnova, Abettorpunt, Guaranteed, Bitobliss would all visit I'd imagine and be genuine chances.

Where is Mach Beauty?

If I was picking now I'd pick those ten (two emerg). Plenty of other good horses I haven't mentioned.

Beautide wins regardless of the other seven starters that join him though :o

[brent_L]

Philadelphia man still has plenty to prove but is definitely an X factor IMO. I'll stick with SSL for the time being....he'll be on the front end and to beat him you'll have to go at least low 1:50.
Do we know of any early markets Breno?

[Race For Fun]

Where is Mach Beauty?

Beautide wins regardless of the other seven starters that join him though :o

Mach Beauty went sore.

Beautide is peaking (good training) at just the right time.

[Richard prior]

Up with the sparrows Brent?? Looks to be pretty much the same field or make up as last year. The NZ Cup will be interesting, Terror to Love, Adore Me, Christen Me and the potential knockout horse For a Reason going head to head, Should be a fantastic race. I was under the impression that Abettorpunt wasn't going to NZ and was coming up for the qualifiers. IMHO TTL will be very hard to beat in the NZ Cup but I don't think they will bring him across if invited as the sprint races are probably a little short for him at this stage of his career. SSL has been low flying lately but Beautide really went super last night under a hand drive. The other Victorian's Guaranteed, Philadelphia Man and Bitobliss should add a bit of spice to the qualifiers, It would be great to see all 3 make it into the final. Bitobliss is the interesting horse, He's promised so much over the years and I think that Mr Stewart will be looking at one of the first qualifiers to get him through and try and keep him fresh. Some great racing coming up and I can't wait for it.

[Messenger]

Mach Beauty went sore.

Beautide is peaking (good training) at just the right time.

I wonder what his Cobalt reading will be? Sorry but 43 is not natural

[aussiebreno]

Mach Beauty went sore.

Beautide is peaking (good training) at just the right time.Cheers. Replace him with Philadelphia Man.

Richard - In The Gig a couple of weeks ago mentioned Courts were keen on bringing TTL over.

[Richard prior]

Cheers. Replace him with Philadelphia Man.

Richard - In The Gig a couple of weeks ago mentioned Courts were keen on bringing TTL over.

Okay, Thanks Breno, I missed that. I think that this could be TTL's last season but I hope not and would really love to see him over here at his best, I've followed him through most of his career and have no doubt that the horse is a superstar.

[Race For Fun]

I wonder what his Cobalt reading will be? Sorry but 43 is not natural

That's a fair question Kevin, we can't question some cobalt levels returned by some horses and not ask the question about others. I like Beautide, I like his toughness and the fact that he can win from almost any position in running. His trainer has the making of a future top line trainer (if not already). But...........

[HaroldParker]

Terror To Love again ? I've seen that Seinfeld ep more times than No Soup For You.

He should have to earn a start in a lead up going a solid Mile around Menangle. What is it now, 2 ID Final walk ins beating nothing and multiple invites to the Mile.

The Mile he finished 2nd in was gift wrapped. No thanks.

[Richard prior]

Has anyone seen a Market for the MM yet???

[brent_L]

MM 2014
Beautide
3.25
Christen Me
4.20
Suave Stuey Lombo
4.20
Guaranteed
7.50
Philadelphia Man
12.00
For A Reason
12.00
Avonnova
13.00
Terror To Love
15.00
Hands Christen
17.00
Adore Me
21.00
Maximan
26.00
Smolda
34.00
Teo Enteo
34.00
Bitobliss
41.00
Messini
41.00
Seel N Print
41.00
Freyberg
41.00
Abettorpunt
41.00
Restrepo
41.00
Tiger Tara
41.00
Monifieth
41.00
Exciteusinthecity
51.00
Mark Dennis
51.00
Easy On The Eye
61.00
Bit Of A Legend
81.00
Chariot King
101.00
Flaming Flutter
101.00
Blazin N Cullen
101.00
The Stingray
101.00
Fearless Leader
101.00
Amajorjo
101.00
Im Corzin Terror
101.00
Marty Monkhouser
101.00
Forever Gold
151.00
Bettor Rock On
151.00
Our Hi Jinx
151.00
Saucy Legend
151.00
Heza Thrill
151.00

[brent_L]

Fields out for the Coca Cola Sprint meeting. The winner of the feature gains an invite to the MM.
Easy On The Eye drew the ace giving him the perfect opportunity to prove he is a contender.
Teo Enteo drawn to get a cosy run behind the probable leader (1) out of barrier 2.
The big guns drawn out a little wider....Guaranteed in 5 & Beautide in 8.
Cracking field. My first inkling is Teo for a place at around the $3.5 mark.
*above barriers are with both Em out.

[Smoken]

Great field, even though I would have thought SSL should have been there.. Mark Dennis in and not SSL?
EOTE with the gifted draw, loves to lead and run along, as Brent mentioned all the top guns out wide.. They will go hard, & if BOB gets a good cart behind a good horse, he might just be the one steam rolling them at the very end... I'm cheering BOB, Gauranteed, ABOP :)

[Big Mac]

Not the best draw for BOB. He never seems to be able to get a favourable draw in any of the bigger races. He needs a few things to go his way, but I'll be cheering.

[Big Mac]

I took the $41 on offer for Bob in the MM. If he wins this week and gets an invite, it looks like a good value punt. Already into $26

[MJD]

Great field, even though I would have thought SSL should have been there.. Mark Dennis in and not SSL?
EOTE with the gifted draw, loves to lead and run along, as Brent mentioned all the top guns out wide.. They will go hard, & if BOB gets a good cart behind a good horse, he might just be the one steam rolling them at the very end... I'm cheering BOB, Gauranteed, ABOP :)

Saw a tweet from Greg Hayes that SSL to go to Cordina Sprint. Philadelphia Man going to Cordina Sprint, Gareth Hall tweeting that Emma Stewart said PM has a minir issue but should be right. Great field this week. The trouble from this week & next week is that a number of good horses are going to miss a MM invite.

[Smoken]

Ahh, that's right, the Cordinia Sprint still to come! We will see what PM is made of next week.. SSL will be hard to hold out!
So many fantastic clashes coming up, it's exciting times. I want to see new rivalries born, just like Trigger v Quinny :)

[brent_L]

Just as the barrier draw plays a major role in determining the winner of the MM, so does the draw of these 'qualifying' lead up races. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure I like the current format of field selection. I don't believe we will always get the best field possible.

Take last weeks mile at Newcastle.....the draw was the undeniable factor in SSL not winning. He now has to take his place in the Cordina and history tells us the winner here never (once maybe?) even fills a place in the MM. I'm not a big fan of talking hypotheticals but soon we will see an outsider win one of these qualifiers as a result of the type of battle we saw between the two big guns in the Newcastle Mile and they will take the spot of a more legit star. IMO let all these stars go to battle and then select the field manually (and cross our fingers there's not an Our Sir Vancelot style stuff up).

BOB will be a casualty of the criteria unfortunately Smoken. No way can he win from out there.......drawn 1, I believe he could go real close to winning a Miracle Mile!

[aussiebreno]

Just as the barrier draw plays a major role in determining the winner of the MM, so does the draw of these 'qualifying' lead up races. I suppose what I'm trying to say is that I'm not sure I like the current format of field selection. I don't believe we will always get the best field possible.

Take last weeks mile at Newcastle.....the draw was the undeniable factor in SSL not winning. He now has to take his place in the Cordina and history tells us the winner here never (once maybe?) even fills a place in the MM. I'm not a big fan of talking hypotheticals but soon we will see an outsider win one of these qualifiers as a result of the type of battle we saw between the two big guns in the Newcastle Mile and they will take the spot of a more legit star. IMO let all these stars go to battle and then select the field manually (and cross our fingers there's not an Our Sir Vancelot style stuff up).

BOB will be a casualty of the criteria unfortunately Smoken. No way can he win from out there.......drawn 1, I believe he could go real close to winning a Miracle Mile!
I was actually thinking the total opposite last night, in that this qualifying system is great.
Even if these races weren't official qualifiers, how else would SSL get in the field? Would he have been invited on the back of winning $30K Sydney FFAs? I reckon it's more deserving getting in by winning elite FFAs.
It's hard to say what will happen in NZ but for me all of TTL, CM and FAR deserve a gig. Will all three get a gig? Not sure, it's quite possible only one of the three will. Then you have possibility something else wins today. But working on basis all three get a gig, that still leaves at least one spot (could be up to three or four some years) for an unlucky horse from the qualifiers. So while this year it could be tight at the top, most years will have a couple spots to get a real good but unlucky horse in anyway. And the best thing is the form will be exposted, rather than guessing the form between QLD, NSW, Vic etc.

You make mention of the possibility of an upset in the Newcastle Mile. Yet surely having SSL and Avonnova in the race in the first place gets us a better result than Special Albert, Saucy Legend (invited but declined by Fitzpatrick IIRC), Rohan Home and Raglan.

The Cordina was traditionally a last ditched attempt to get in, so the other horses already invited were seen to be better than you anyway. No wonder the Cordina doesn't have a great track record. Under this format there is/will be 2 or 3 spots left heading into the Cordina so I expect the results from the Cordina will improve.

Another reason the qualifiers are great is we can actually align Guaranteed, Bitobliss and Philadelphia Man up with the rest of the horses. This is the best way to getting the best field rather than just guessing which horse to invite, eg Make Mine Cullen ahead of Melpark Major.

I'm all for the qualifiers!

[mightymo]

I could soon have egg on my face, but whilst Bitobliss has been a great horse for connections winning 500K, his Gr 1 record is terrible. 9 starts for 1 second and 1 third

He just seems to struggle against the real topliners

[Smoken]

Agree that BOB has a very bad record in Group 1's! He definitely can't cop pressure like he once did, but if a race is run very hard and he gets a tow in, he can beat the best of them IMO. The Stars need to be aligned perfectly for that to happen though.. Hope they do :)

[Race For Fun]

The invite and win only format of this race has from it's inception been part of what has made it such an amazing race. From village kid as the defending champion not getting as invite because he didn't parade at rosehill races. Imagine the gallops excluding a horse because of something like that. Qualifying heats let everyone know where they stand. But it's almost impossible for a horse to run a sub or near 1:50 mile and back up 7 days later against the best horses and run the same time or faster. But that's the rules and unless your lucky enough to win an automatic entry race that's what the horses have to do. I thought that more trainers with genuine MM horses would have nominated for the newcastle mile with it's free invite.

[Danno]

The invite and win only format of this race has from it's inception been part of what has made it such an amazing race. From village kid as the defending champion not getting as invite because he didn't parade at rosehill races. Imagine the gallops excluding a horse because of something like that. Qualifying heats let everyone know where they stand. But it's almost impossible for a horse to run a sub or near 1:50 mile and back up 7 days later against the best horses and run the same time or faster. But that's the rules and unless your lucky enough to win an automatic entry race that's what the horses have to do. I thought that more trainers with genuine MM horses would have nominated for the newcastle mile with it's free invite.

Agree totally Toni,
45K winners purse, straight into MM with an extra week up your sleeve, I find it hard to believe why trainers are not lining up to get into the Newcastle Mile?

[Race For Fun]

Adore Me given an invitation to Mile

[Richard prior]

Adore Me given an invitation to Mile

Well deserved

[HaroldParker]

The invite and win only format of this race has from it's inception been part of what has made it such an amazing race. From village kid as the defending champion not getting as invite because he didn't parade at rosehill races. Imagine the gallops excluding a horse because of something like that. Qualifying heats let everyone know where they stand. But it's almost impossible for a horse to run a sub or near 1:50 mile and back up 7 days later against the best horses and run the same time or faster. But that's the rules and unless your lucky enough to win an automatic entry race that's what the horses have to do. I thought that more trainers with genuine MM horses would have nominated for the newcastle mile with it's free invite.

It's 2014 and we're racing at Menangle Toni. They could around twice a few hours apart and run that time. 7 days is a holiday :)

[MJD]

After winning yesterday’s New Zealand Cup run over 3200 metres in national record time, connections of the 5 year old decided not to accept the invitation made by the Directors of the NSW Harness Racing Club to compete in the Miracle Mile (1609m). Trainers Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen said “We were honoured to be asked but we will just stick to local races with her at this stage...She’s a great horse & a great stayer - we just think the Mile might not be her go at the moment.” I know the winner of the NZ Cup can be invited however the distance of the Miracle Mile is a Mile (1609m) not 3200m.

[Messenger]

You would think FAR driven tough yesterday would happily accept the invitation to display his sub 1.50 ability

[The Form Student]

Agree totally, it's run was terrific................what about SSL?.......why no automatic invitation??

[mightymo]

Agree totally, it's run was terrific................what about SSL?.......why no automatic invitation??

Conditions of the race state that: "unless he was in NZ/WA, horse has to compete in at least 1 lead up race at Menangle..."

He deserves to get an invite and the race will be much better if he does

[The Form Student]

Exactly Harvey, he is the one to set them all up to break the track record! The way Bling It On went last start "off the track", he would not be out of place either!

[Zanzi_Bromac]

Which agency has a market for the MM?

[brent_L]

Which agency has a market for the MM?
Bet$3.65......$3.75 Beau is at least half a point overs IMO
Sportsbet

[brent_L]

He deserves to get an invite and the race will be much better if he does
Yes & yes!!

[G-Mac]

End of discussion, HRNSW has already called it...

330

[Messenger]

Invalid link message comes up Glen

[HaroldParker]

I think it's a joke that this horse hasn't already been invited.

He beat Beautide in back to back 1.50.1 Miles before winning another G3 under a hand drive in 51. His blemish, sitting parked in 52 around Newcastle beaten 5m.

The winner of a 2 Mile Standing Start on Tuesday beat him to an invite and it's likely another Kiwi, even if Adore Me wins the NZ FFA, will beat him to an invite tomorrow.

Are they compelled to invite something from over there before a more worthy local to substantiate the junket they're on ?

He's also the last horse to defeat Quinny.

[Messenger]

This has been the subject of considerable discussion in the Miracle Mile thread Bob

[HaroldParker]

This has been the subject of considerable discussion in the Miracle Mile thread Bob

I was checking in on that thread next : )

[Richard prior]

Hi Tony, Can you shift this and the above over to the MM thread please. I agree with you Bob and for exactly the same reason that I thought For a Reason should have been invited into the last Miracle Mile, FAR had run 2 outstanding times in the lead up to the MM and Suave Stuey Lombo has done exactly the same leading into this edition and ran an outstanding race in the Newcastle Mile.

[The Form Student]

Yes Bob, SSL should be given an invite, if Beautide wins the Miracle Mile, and there is no SSL in the race, what a joke!......the Miracle Mile won't stand for a cracker!.....he is the horse to lead them up, and make sure they go close to the record!.....Should have been 1st horse invited......ON FORM!

[Richard prior]

Yes SSL has already broken 1.50 at Menangle under race conditions and has also done it under trial conditions and has been very close to the magical mark in 2 other wins, Definitley worth an invite on form and he will certainly make it a truly run affair with young Lauren at the helm.

[Race For Fun]

I think SSL should and will get an invite to the MM but this is how the board does their selection, it's all part of their build up to the race. The only horse gifted a run is the winner of the previous year's winner if it is racing at the time, everyone else has to "qualify". If you are on the eastern sea board and have not already been given an invite into the race you have to compete in at least one of the two lead up races, they don't say that you have to win a lead up race. That's their policy end of section. Some of those group three races SSL won at Menangle were normal free for all's, they were classed as group three races simply because they had $30,000 prize money, but SSL won some of them with absolute ease no doubt and a 1:50 mile rate is exactly what is needed to say that you are a genuine MM contender and that is exactly what SSL is in my opinion.

As they say "he who holds the gold is king" (and the board is).

Even if SSL misses winning a qualifier who from NSW would or could the board select ahead of him?

This type of debate is exactly what the board want, it's just a shame that it's not happening in the newspapers as it might help get a few more people through the gates on mile night.

[G-Mac]

Invalid link message comes up Glen

My bad, try this
http://www.menangleparkpaceway.com.au/miraclemile.html

Just had a laugh at the caption...

[Messenger]

LOL an omen or a possible early crow curse?

[The Form Student]

This type of debate is exactly what the board want, it's just a shame that it's not happening in the newspapers as it might help get a few more people through the gates on mile night.

As you know, the gallops have the "Off The Rails Show" with Greg Radley & "Miracle Mal", why don't we change "In The Gig" to "Up The Sprint Lane", sounds good, what do you think? Unfortunately, we need to come up with a quirky advertising video to get the show off the ground and promote the MM....we only have a week to do this! I have been thinking of ideas, and perhaps we should base it on the following, horse flavoured video to get it out there! Can we match this to get the MM out there???
"An oldie, but a goodie! Get it, MM is that Miracle Mile or Miracle Mal???? lol!

http://vimeo.com/52219946

[Messenger]

Such wacky stuff is part of the promo parcel you need nowadays

[MJD]

Christen Me accepted invite to the Miracle Mile. Was 2nd in the race last year
Suave Stuey Lombo is contesting the Cordina Sprint next week & should be invited however the record for horses in the Miracle Mile that hav had to backup in the MM after the Cordina is poor

[Messenger]

Will there be room for Guaranteed in the MM?
Other than SSL who may not get a run (and would need to lead), G is looking like the only one who could threaten Beau

[The Form Student]

SSL does not need to lead!........he won the AP Sunshine Sprint with a finishing sprint!...............he deserves a run.....he has gone faster at his 2 of his past 3 wins at Menangle than what they did tonight! and he beat Beautide both times! The Board should give him the invite!

[Messenger]

I am not saying he should not get an invite Steve but I still think he needs to lead to win a MM - in that Sunshine Sprint last year only his stablemate would ever be mentioned in the same sentence as the MM

[The Form Student]

He also beat Imthemightyquinn, and he led, and Mach Beauty again! If leading is his go, that's OK, at least they will be assured of a genuine speed, and then it will be the last man standing! Wouldn't they love it if someone broke the track record! Where is the $50,000 bonus for breaking the track record!

[Smoken]

Congrats to Beautide, best run of the race was Guaranteed and Mark Dennis flew home! He's suprised me! BOB.. Well, as soon as he tried going 3 wide alone, it was obvious it was game over for him.. Such a shame & even more frustrating.. Guaranteed can definitely beat Beautide, as can SSL. Draws will play a big role as usual.. Hope Guaranteed makes it and kicks there arses :)

[HaroldParker]

Congrats to Beautide, best run of the race was Guaranteed and Mark Dennis flew home! He's suprised me! BOB.. Well, as soon as he tried going 3 wide alone, it was obvious it was game over for him.. Such a shame & even more frustrating.. Guaranteed can definitely beat Beautide, as can SSL. Draws will play a big role as usual.. Hope Guaranteed makes it and kicks there arses :)

They could of gone another lap and that's about as close as Guaranteed was getting to Beautide. He won under a hand drive.

[Race For Fun]

http://www.harnesslink.com/International/Miracle-Mile-off-the-agenda

[Race For Fun]

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=24947

[Messenger]

They could of gone another lap and that's about as close as Guaranteed was getting to Beautide. He won under a hand drive.

Although he will be a far better horse next year, I can't agree with that as Guaranteed would much prefer a longer distance than a mile

[MJD]

Terror To Love has been invited. Assume this is because Beautide won last night although the conditions on the 1st page of this thread state that horses facing travel difficulties may be invited up until the closing time for nominations for the Coca-Cola however Terror To Love was invited this morning. For A Reason accepted an invite last night.

[Smoken]

After watching the replay several times this morning, Guaranteed definitely was claiming Beautide for sure. Hope TTL accepts, and shows us all what we all know he's capable of.

[MJD]

After watching the replay several times this morning, Guaranteed definitely was claiming Beautide for sure. Hope TTL accepts, and shows us all what we all know he's capable of.

He has accepted. News story on harness.org.au said conditions states that horses facing the difficulties of travel which may affect their performance in the Miracle Mile may be issued an invitation prior to the close of nominations for the Cordina Sprint (Monday).

[MJD]

Only 3 places left - 1 is winner of Cordina Sprint? Who gets other 2? Guaranteed, Suave Stuey Lombo (if doesnt win Cordina). Christen Me won NZ FFA so deserved his invite. For A Reason has broke 1:50 @ Menangle & was 3rd in NZ Cup. Terror To Love is a champ too but has done not much @ Menangle & was beaten by For A Reason & Christen Me.

[brent_L]

They should now invite Stuey and save him from having to bust his arse 7 days before grand final day. If FAR and TTL deserve invites in front of him I'll eat my farkin hat!!!!!!

[MJD]

Terror To Love a maiden from 7 starts @ Tabcorp Park, Menangle - form at track reads 98264726. 6 runs were in Group 1 events. Still no wins though.
Conditions stated that only horses facing travel difficulties which could affect their performance in the Miracle Mile can be invited before the close of noms for Cordina Sprint. After Cordina Sprint the remainder of field made up of horses that contested either Coca Cola and/or Cordina Sprint. SSL will hav to go round in Cordina Sprint. The travel difficulties for For A Reason must be because he went to NZ.

[The Form Student]

They should now invite Stuey and save him from having to bust his arse 7 days before grand final day. If FAR and TTL deserve invites in front of him I'll eat my farkin hat!!!!!!

Exactly, Shane said in the media, that he did not accept for last nights race because of the gut buster run outside the leader at Newcastle last week (track record time), and wanted to let him get over it! If HRNSW are concerned about other horses having difficulties travelling from far locations etc,, and have issued invites to them! What about the horse that has busted his guts in NSW right now, has beaten Beautide twice at their most recent 2 race starts, beaten Imthemightyquinn in QLD, beaten Mach Beauty twice, whose times at Menangle are faster than any of the other runners who have been invited to the MM, broke 1:50 in a trial at Menangle in recent weeks! Give the horse a break, don't make him start this week, and gas him with a hard run for a Miracle Mile birth! A fresh SSL, (as he showed in his Menangle trial win in 1:49.237 on 9th Sept 2014, beating Beautide again!) would be something for the others to chase in the MM! Can someone come up with a reason why this horse has not been invited?...........Come on the Board Of Director's, show that a horses form counts!....... issue SSL with an invite before acceptances are due for the Cordina Sprint!
Give the people's horse a run, an invite now, don't make him prove he can ran fast time at Menangle again...........he has proven himself to be the No. 1 contender for the race, and does not have an invite!

[Smoken]

If a horse deserves to be in the MM, surely SSL would have to be one of them! Common sense should prevail you would think, but many times it doesn't..

[The Form Student]

I am fuming about SSL not getting an "invite" to the MM, at his last run at Menangle on 18th October, SSL led and won in "only" 1:51.3, his sectionals were (26.8, 31.0, 27.3, 26.2) last 800 metres in 53.5 seconds............can you go any faster??

[The Form Student]

I am fuming about SSL not getting an "invite" to the MM, at his last run at Menangle on 18th October, SSL led and won in "only" 1:51.3, his sectionals were (26.8, 31.0, 27.3, 26.2) last 800 metres in 53.5 seconds............can you go any faster??

Hypothetically, if SSL could maintain the average speed for his other 3 quarters on this run, for the second quarter he ran in this race, he would run a mile in 1:47.1!

He would also have 1.4 seconds up his sleeve to beat the track record!

[Smoken]

In regards to TTL, he is a Champ no doubt, and personally I would like to see him run a massive race in the MM. The fact remains, he didn't even place in the NZ CUP or FFA.. Who makes these decisions? Franco Nelson should have got an invite before TTL based on current form.. Guaranteed, SSL and who ever wins next weeks CS! Sound good?

[Messenger]

After watching the replay several times this morning, Guaranteed definitely was claiming Beautide for sure. Hope TTL accepts, and shows us all what we all know he's capable of.


In regards to TTL, he is a Champ no doubt, and personally I would like to see him run a massive race in the MM. The fact remains, he didn't even place in the NZ CUP or FFA.. Who makes these decisions? Franco Nelson should have got an invite before TTL based on current form.. Guaranteed, SSL and who ever wins next weeks CS! Sound good?

I think you're having an EW bet here Ev :) On recent form TTL not really entitled to invite before Franco

[Smoken]

Ye something like that Kev lol. In all fairness, FN deserves the invite, & SSL should have had an invite already, but I guess the people deciding the outcome know best:p

[The Form Student]

Ye something like that Kev lol. In all fairness, FN deserves the invite, & SSL should have had an invite already, but I guess the people deciding the outcome know best:p

Not always!..........there have been plenty of wrong decisions about invites in the past!...................don't make SSL another one!

[The Form Student]

I think you're having an EW bet here Ev :) On recent form TTL not really entitled to invite before Franco

The facts stack up about TTL, failed to live up to expectations, lot of excuses...........they were concentrating on NZ Cup with TTL, now they switch to MM.............please give me a break!............I think for TTL to perform best in OZ, he needs to be brought over at the start of a preparation, and commence his program from there, giving him a good lead up time.........he either hates the travel, or misses something away from home! This will be a very tough MM!

[p plater]

If SSl contests the Cordina Sprint he cannot win the MM imo. He should rest on his record, besides he contested the Newcastle Mile which is also a qualifying race.
There is no way they will leave him out of the MM, he is to fast and all they worry about is speed at Menangle. This is just their usual drama they love to create.

[The Form Student]

Maybe he is scared of flying!..........lol :eek:

[The Form Student]

If SSl contests the Cordina Sprint he cannot win the MM imo. He should rest on his record, besides he contested the Newcastle Mile which is also a qualifying race.
There is no way they will leave him out of the MM, he is to fast and all they worry about is speed at Menangle. This is just their usual drama they love to create.

I think you have something there, it has a bit of history to it............but don't want to leave anything to chance!......put SSL in now!

[MJD]

In regards to TTL, he is a Champ no doubt, and personally I would like to see him run a massive race in the MM. The fact remains, he didn't even place in the NZ CUP or FFA.. Who makes these decisions? Franco Nelson should have got an invite before TTL based on current form.. Guaranteed, SSL and who ever wins next weeks CS! Sound good?

Mic Guerin tweeted that connections of Franco Nelson very surprised TTL invited in front of them & that TTL accepted. 7 start Menangle maiden in the Miracle Mile. Unfortunately SSL will hav to run in the Cordina, due to the way the conditions are & somehow they are treating For A Reason as a horse that has travel restrictions. He is from Qld but has done alot of his latest racing @ Menangle apart from the Qld Pacing Championship & NZ Cup

[p plater]

One reason "For A Reason" invited, speed, as I mentioned before, to use travel as an excuse is silly. I think he has the 2nd fastest mr behind Smoken Up. SSL is 3rd fastest....he will be invited.

[Race For Fun]

Hypothetically, if SSL could maintain the average speed for his other 3 quarters on this run, for the second quarter he ran in this race, he would run a mile in 1:47.1!

He would also have 1.4 seconds up his sleeve to beat the track record!

I agree with you Steve that SSL should have already been given an invite but can't agree with your hypothetical analysis. Every race or trial that I've see on Trots TV of SSL he has never been driven with anything left in the tank , which is entirely up to his connections but when you compare the way Beautide has been set for the MM you have to wonder if running all those very fast races and trials weeks ago were the right time to be running 1:50.

Is SSL still going as good as he was a month ago? Trainer even said last night on Sky that the run at Newcastle took a lot out of him. I think SSL has more current runs on the board than Terror To Love regardless of distance to travel, he has had enough free passes into the race and failed he should have to qualify this year. As good as he is he has not done enough to get an invite.

[MJD]

One reason "For A Reason" invited, speed, as I mentioned before, to use travel as an excuse is silly. I think he has the 2nd fastest mr behind Smoken Up. SSL is 3rd fastest....he will be invited.

For A Reason should be there, just saying, that only horses that could be invited before close of nominations tomorrow for the Cordina Sprint are horses that have "travel difficulties" when For A Reason has had the majority of his recent racing @ Menangle (although his last 2 starts where in Qld & NZ)

[Messenger]

If I was Shane Tritton I would not run and hope the drama queens do not leave him out.

[jackthepunter]

How the hell does he get an invite to the mile?????
His form this week has been fair at best, he hates the track, trainers have openly stated they hate the place, this is a f$$king joke. Hnsw bang on every year about horses coming to nsw and runing well before they will look at them what a joke this is.

[The Form Student]

It was just a hypo, just to demonstrate his speed..... but there is potential there!......Maybe Mark Dennis will "steal" the last spot!

[Richard prior]

Harold Parker(Bob) Is going to love this one, Rippem a new one Bob.

[The Form Student]

Jack, it is a potential "fairy tale" come true! I would like to know from any Director from HRNSW, how the hell SSL has not been invited???

[jackthepunter]

It really pisses me off, you want horses in form for mile a race, what the hell has stand start 2 mile race form got to do with a mm start?? it madness.

[Smoken]

Franco Nelson easily should have been invited before TTL.. Even if SSL won next weekend, it would take to much out of him for the MM.. Yep, he should have been invited already..

[aussiebreno]

Kev, I think the drama queens are not NSWHRC but those in this thread.

Now for everyone else,

The rules set are pretty clear and have been consistently and appropriately applied. They are there for everyone to follow. If the SSL non invitation was such an issue, why wasn't this issue raised anywhere by anyone before the Newcastle Mile?

CM and TTL have been NZs best pacers over the last 18-24months (TTL even longer). NSWHRC have been clear those that face travel difficulties will be issued an invite early. They extended this to FAR who went to NZ. They could have been drama queens and excluded FAR for the sake of making either the NZ Cup weaker or the local FFAs stronger. But just like they are moving for the Perth IDs they are doing the best thing for all us fans and letting us see the top horses battle as often as they can.
Beautide invite obvious. Avonnovac clearly deserves his spot.

Guaranteed will get an invite I feel.

We will get the best field. Suave Stuey Lombo will win or run well enough in the Cordina to get an invite. If it was such an issue backing him up this week, why won't it be an issue Miracle Mile week? I would have thought taking the risk this week would be better than taking the risk in the big dance. He raced three weeks straight in QLD.
The poor record of the Cordina is overhyped. As I said earlier, the Cordina used to be a last ditch attempt at gaining entry. That horse that got the 6th spot was generally the 6th best horse in the race anyway (back in the Harold Park days).

Recent years results: Karloo Mick 3rd, Washakie Last (beat a flashing home Lady Lexus, as nice a mare as she was who would have included her in a Miracle Mile field?), Mr Feelgood 4th btn a length by Trigger, Gaius Caesar SCR but Pure Power ran 2nd Cordina then 3rd in Miracle Mile, Trigger 5th was past his best last season.

Karloo Mick. Mr Feelgood and Pure Power good results, Washakie and Smoken Up genuine excuses. Should not be an issue for Stuey. Will get his a chance and can win.

[Maorisidol]

It really pisses me off, you want horses in form for mile a race, what the hell has stand start 2 mile race form got to do with a mm start?? it madness.
http://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahr/results/111432rs.htm#Race11

Jack watch his run here in last Fri FFA and tell me he didn't run well after being held up late and came home faster than anything in the race for the last 200!
I see the argument for Franco but also see the argument for TTL, id have Terror here no worries, it will be his last trip to Oz, unless he comes back for VIC and HUNTER Cups...
And for those crying about SSL, relax he'll be in! Its as if the final field has been finalised and didn't get in, the fat last hasn't sung yet and the order they get invited is irrelevant.

Beautide
Avonnova
Terror To Love
For A Reason
Christen Me
Guaranteed
Suave Stuey Lombo

[p plater]

Brendan, I agree with most of your comments but you forget Smoken Up ran a 1.49.9 in the Cordina and then a personal 1.51.1 the next week in the MM. Lance was reported to have said he wished he had of raced in the Coca Cola the week before as sub 1.50s 2 weeks in a row is a tough assignment.

[jackthepunter]

Kev, I think the drama queens are not NSWHRC but those in this thread.

Now for everyone else,

The rules set are pretty clear and have been consistently and appropriately applied. They are there for everyone to follow. If the SSL non invitation was such an issue, why wasn't this issue raised anywhere by anyone before the Newcastle Mile?

CM and TTL have been NZs best pacers over the last 18-24months (TTL even longer). NSWHRC have been clear those that face travel difficulties will be issued an invite early. They extended this to FAR who went to NZ. They could have been drama queens and excluded FAR for the sake of making either the NZ Cup weaker or the local FFAs stronger. But just like they are moving for the Perth IDs they are doing the best thing for all us fans and letting us see the top horses battle as often as they can.
Beautide invite obvious. Avonnovac clearly deserves his spot.

Guaranteed will get an invite I feel.

We will get the best field. Suave Stuey Lombo will win or run well enough in the Cordina to get an invite. If it was such an issue backing him up this week, why won't it be an issue Miracle Mile week? I would have thought taking the risk this week would be better than taking the risk in the big dance. He raced three weeks straight in QLD.
The poor record of the Cordina is overhyped. As I said earlier, the Cordina used to be a last ditch attempt at gaining entry. That horse that got the 6th spot was generally the 6th best horse in the race anyway (back in the Harold Park days).

Recent years results: Karloo Mick 3rd, Washakie Last (beat a flashing home Lady Lexus, as nice a mare as she was who would have included her in a Miracle Mile field?), Mr Feelgood 4th btn a length by Trigger, Gaius Caesar SCR but Pure Power ran 2nd Cordina then 3rd in Miracle Mile, Trigger 5th was past his best last season.

Karloo Mick. Mr Feelgood and Pure Power good results, Washakie and Smoken Up genuine excuses. Should not be an issue for Stuey. Will get his a chance and can win.

The whole travel things a lot of crap its take 3 hours to fly to sydney from nz, its takes 8 hours plus to drive from melbourne or queensland

[aussiebreno]

Brendan, I agree with most of your comments but you forget Smoken Up ran a 1.49.9 in the Cordina and then a personal 1.51.1 the next week in the MM. Lance was reported to have said he wished he had of raced in the Coca Cola the week before as sub 1.50s 2 weeks in a row is a tough assignment.
Check out last years Miracle Mile thread if you want more extra reading of my opinion on this, but Beautide smashed Abettorpunt and Mach Beauty at Newcastle. Trigger laboured in beating them in the Cordina. The Miracle Mile result was justified. Lance talked up Trigger during the Mile week last year, then ran him 5 times in 5 weekends throught Jan/Feb earlier this year.
I fail too see how a top line horse having a gutbuster 1.50 is any different to the tonnes of average horses who gutbuster might be 2.01 but they go around week in week out.

[Race For Fun]

I fail too see how a top line horse having a gutbuster 1.50 is any different to the tonnes of average horses who gutbuster might be 2.01 but they go around week in week out.

But do they win week in week out? It's about winning not just fronting up each week.

[brent_L]

Check out last years Miracle Mile thread if you want more extra reading of my opinion on this, but Beautide smashed Abettorpunt and Mach Beauty at Newcastle. Trigger laboured in beating them in the Cordina.
Laboured in sub 1:50.....get real Brendan

[The Form Student]

Kev, I think the drama queens are not NSWHRC but those in this thread.

Now for everyone else,

The rules set are pretty clear and have been consistently and appropriately applied. They are there for everyone to follow. If the SSL non invitation was such an issue, why wasn't this issue raised anywhere by anyone before the Newcastle Mile?

CM and TTL have been NZs best pacers over the last 18-24months (TTL even longer). NSWHRC have been clear those that face travel difficulties will be issued an invite early. They extended this to FAR who went to NZ. They could have been drama queens and excluded FAR for the sake of making either the NZ Cup weaker or the local FFAs stronger. But just like they are moving for the Perth IDs they are doing the best thing for all us fans and letting us see the top horses battle as often as they can.
Beautide invite obvious. Avonnovac clearly deserves his spot.

Guaranteed will get an invite I feel.

We will get the best field. Suave Stuey Lombo will win or run well enough in the Cordina to get an invite. If it was such an issue backing him up this week, why won't it be an issue Miracle Mile week? I would have thought taking the risk this week would be better than taking the risk in the big dance. He raced three weeks straight in QLD.
The poor record of the Cordina is overhyped. As I said earlier, the Cordina used to be a last ditch attempt at gaining entry. That horse that got the 6th spot was generally the 6th best horse in the race anyway (back in the Harold Park days).

Recent years results: Karloo Mick 3rd, Washakie Last (beat a flashing home Lady Lexus, as nice a mare as she was who would have included her in a Miracle Mile field?), Mr Feelgood 4th btn a length by Trigger, Gaius Caesar SCR but Pure Power ran 2nd Cordina then 3rd in Miracle Mile, Trigger 5th was past his best last season.

Karloo Mick. Mr Feelgood and Pure Power good results, Washakie and Smoken Up genuine excuses. Should not be an issue for Stuey. Will get his a chance and can win.

Because the trainer advised, that last weeks run has taken a lot out of his horse, and he needed the week off (unfortunately sitting outside in a new track record did have an effect)............he does not have an invite!..........so it's all or nothing this week!.......and if he gets a run, hope he recovers enough to be at full throttle in the MM!

[The Form Student]

If you go back to the Len Smith Mile on 27th April this year, Avonnova led from barrier 3, Beautide 1-1 from barrier 7, SSL OUTSIDE the leader from barrier 8, and beaten only 3.1 metres!!! Reverse the barriers in the Len Smith & Newcastle Mile, and you may have gotten a different result! if SSL gets into MM, and draws inside Avonnova, no one will be getting the lead of SSL! The other 2 are in.............the "work machine" is not!

[brent_L]

If SSl contests the Cordina Sprint he cannot win the MM imo. He should rest on his record, besides he contested the Newcastle Mile which is also a qualifying race.
There is no way they will leave him out of the MM, he is to fast and all they worry about is speed at Menangle. This is just their usual drama they love to create.
I could not agree more with your opinion Bailey....hope Tritton is thinking along these lines.

[brent_L]

Recent years results: Karloo Mick 3rd, Washakie Last (beat a flashing home Lady Lexus, as nice a mare as she was who would have included her in a Miracle Mile field?), Mr Feelgood 4th btn a length by Trigger, Gaius Caesar SCR but Pure Power ran 2nd Cordina then 3rd in Miracle Mile, Trigger 5th was past his best last season.

Karloo Mick. Mr Feelgood and Pure Power good results, Washakie and Smoken Up genuine excuses. Should not be an issue for Stuey. Will get his a chance and can win.
Karloo Mick is the best performed of the above mentioned winners.......was this perhaps because he raced in the Cordina on the Fri night and then the mile on the Sunday?? I am yet to hear any positives of winning the Cordina going forward into the Mile??? I dare say that's because there is none!!

[Smoken]

Laboured in sub 1:50.....get real Brendan

Surely Brendan is pulling our leg?? :p

[Messenger]

We all mistakes, he momentarily forgot the time Smoken ran (or maybe we started to think that Smoken could do that easily)

[Toohard]

It happens every year. There's always a 'question' left until the week before. Keeps the interest up. Last year they used Smoken Up to keep the 'hype' up. 2 time winner and track record holder but a doubt over him getting a run? Breaks 1.50 again the week before. And then all the final week marketing around him.

This year SSL. Is there really any doubt at all he will be given an invite regardless of whether or not he competes this Saturday? He's already competed in a 'qualifying race'. If you look on harness.org home page you might notice this too. And he might not get a run?

338

[aussiebreno]

Laboured = "Done with great effort and difficulty"

So what, 1.50 runs are done with easily with little effort and Mach Beauty sitting outside him running him to a long neck didn't make it look difficult?

Please.

[Messenger]

I did not say anything earlier Brendan but saying SU 'laboured' to beat them in comparison to Beautide smashing them just sounds wrong when you are talking about a horse making the running and breaking 1.50
I'm not even sure if drawing parallels between the 2 races is that fair.
When Mach and Abet got closer to SU they were on the pegs until they chose to come off while he was cutting the breeze (and of course they had had 2 more weeks work since meeting Beau)
When Beau beat them, Mach did it hard to lead and Abet was wide for ages thus they had both done more work than they did v SU (even if Beau was super strong)

[trish]

http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/tvvideos/16667

[MJD]

It happens every year. There's always a 'question' left until the week before. Keeps the interest up. Last year they used Smoken Up to keep the 'hype' up. 2 time winner and track record holder but a doubt over him getting a run? Breaks 1.50 again the week before. And then all the final week marketing around him.

This year SSL. Is there really any doubt at all he will be given an invite regardless of whether or not he competes this Saturday? He's already competed in a 'qualifying race'. If you look on harness.org home page you might notice this too. And he might not get a run?

338

SSL will have to compete this Saturday night to receive an invitation, as ridiculous as that is given that he has run 1:50.1, 1:50.1 & 1:51 @ Menangle in recent starts.

The MM conditions state "The winner of the Cordina Sprint would automatically receive an invitation to the Miracle Mile and the remainder of the field would be invited at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors following the Cordina Sprint taking into consideration ONLY those horses which contested the Coca Cola Sprint and the Cordina
Sprint".

The Newcastle Mile is an automatic qualifier, however, they do not consider horses that competing in the Newcastle Mile (which is another ridiculous thing) as they want horses to complete @ MENANGLE in the Coca-Cola or Cordina

[Smoken]

I hope Lauren goes as easy as she can on Stuey, but highly unlikely for more than a few reasons. It's all uphill for Stuey from now on..

[Race For Fun]

I hope Lauren goes as easy as she can on Stuey, but highly unlikely for more than a few reasons. It's all uphill for Stuey from now on..

Even if they wanted to "go easy" on SSL now is not the time to be trying to ease him into a race. To see how that was done go back and watch how Beautide has been set for this race months ago with his selective lead up races.

[Smoken]

I agree, that's why I said 'as easy'. He has barrier 8, with many very speedy horses all drawing inside of him.. Just looks to tough for him IMO.

[Race For Fun]

What's the chance of the board selecting a horse out of left field just because they can? And to give us a reason to jump up and down.

I said it before, how TTL could be given an invite ahead of SSL is beyond me.

[MJD]

The surprise in the Cordina Sprint is Bling It On (although may not be a surprise to some) He is a star! He who won a 4 year old heat on Saturday night so is in the 4YO Final to be run on Miracle Mile night however may find himself in the Miracle Mile.
On another note, no Keystone Del in the trotters heat which means he is ineligible for the Final as trotters hav to contest both heats to be eligible for the Final.

[teecee]

If I was Shane Tritton I would not run and hope the drama queens do not leave him out.


Don't hold your breath on that happening Kev.
I pretty sure we had this very type of discussion about last year's MM where another "leading light" was in the eyes of many here deserving of a "free ticket".
It didn't happen and on the very strong advice of HSWhrc leading upto close of noms, officially he eventually took his place in the Cordina, got the entry and fail to fire in the MM.
IMO I can see history repeating itself.


This is not mind you an attempt to stifle this discussion. If history is to be repeated please stay calm!!!!

[Richard prior]

The surprise in the Cordina Sprint is Bling It On (although may not be a surprise to some) He is a star! He who won a 4 year old heat on Saturday night so is in the 4YO Final to be run on Miracle Mile night however may find himself in the Miracle Mile.
On another note, no Keystone Del in the trotters heat which means he is ineligible for the Final as trotters hav to contest both heats to be eligible for the Final.
Bling it On may well upset the apple cart, Ultra smart horse and with SSL and Abettorpunt drawing poorly anything is possible in this contest.

[Smoken]

Agree Rich. I wonder where Cold Major will lob? We know he is a very quick beginner, as is BNC & BBB. Can ABOP bounce back from that crappy draw? One thing is for sure, the speed will be on from beginning to the end. Does anyone on here, think that TTL has any realistic chance of winning or even placing?

[Maorisidol]

The surprise in the Cordina Sprint is Bling It On (although may not be a surprise to some) He is a star! He who won a 4 year old heat on Saturday night so is in the 4YO Final to be run on Miracle Mile night however may find himself in the Miracle Mile.
On another note, no Keystone Del in the trotters heat which means he is ineligible for the Final as trotters hav to contest both heats to be eligible for the Final.

Keystone Del nominated for FFA at Melton $20500...

Cordina will be an intriguing first 400m with tons of speed...Bettor Bet Black maybe fastest off the arm???

[Messenger]

Don't hold your breath on that happening Kev.
I pretty sure we had this very type of discussion about last year's MM where another "leading light" was in the eyes of many here deserving of a "free ticket".
It didn't happen and on the very strong advice of HSWhrc leading upto close of noms, officially he eventually took his place in the Cordina, got the entry and fail to fire in the MM.
IMO I can see history repeating itself.


This is not mind you an attempt to stifle this discussion. If history is to be repeated please stay calm!!!!

You're right Tony, it could not happen (see video interview Trish posted).
If I was SSL's owner I would be thinking along the lines of preserving him eg getting the lead at all costs then taking a sit or do not contest the lead and look for a late 3wTrail Either way, if unlucky, the board might rightfully give him an invite based on his record.
The other way of thinking is to target the MM next yr with a more tailored prep and just go all out for the $60k to the winner of the Cordina. It is nearly as much as 3rd in the MM and the 3 placegetters from last yrs MM are all in the field and all in form

[Messenger]

Ironic that the already invited Terror To Love will be the outsider of the field

[Smoken]

The irony.. I,d say BBB is probably the quickest beginner. Who will be the swoopers?

[brent_L]

As was said earlier, there is a whole lot of speed drawn inside Stuey but he should still probably be winning. Bling and Aikens horse CM the only dangers IMO.....the latter being gross overs @ 50/1.

[Toohard]

Don't hold your breath on that happening Kev.
I pretty sure we had this very type of discussion about last year's MM where another "leading light" was in the eyes of many here deserving of a "free ticket".
It didn't happen and on the very strong advice of HSWhrc leading upto close of noms, officially he eventually took his place in the Cordina, got the entry and fail to fire in the MM.
IMO I can see history repeating itself.


This is not mind you an attempt to stifle this discussion. If history is to be repeated please stay calm!!!!


Smoken Up or Mach Beauty? If the former, then when we compare Terror To Love getting a run and Smoken Up having to earn one it's like comparing apples and cashews.


Smoken Up. 2 x winner and track record holder. Form leading into race; 6 starts - 1 x 1st, 3 x 2nd and 2 x 4th. And yet made to go around the week before to 'earn' a start. Wins and breaks 1.50 again. Free ticket?


Terror To Loves MM history? Form leading into race? Earned a start? Pleeease. Has got a huge free ticket into it!


Smoken Up copped it last year and SSL cops it this year. They want everyone talking about (like we are) and they want good horses going around the week before and want the best horses in the race.


SSL denied a start this year regardless of where finishes on Saturday night would be one of the silliest things I've seen for a while. Sillier than brenno doing a nudey!!

[Race For Fun]

If Bling wins on Saturday does he start in the MM or 4 year old final? I'd start in the 4 year old this year and next year when 5 take on older horses.

[Richard prior]

As was said earlier, there is a whole lot of speed drawn inside Stuey but he should still probably be winning. Bling and Aikens horse CM the only dangers IMO.....the latter being gross overs @ 50/1.
Heaps of value in the exotic's Brent!!

[HaroldParker]

You guys are giving "The Board" too much credit. It's mostly made up of the same hacks that ran Harold Park into the ground. Any drama or intrigue is by accident not design. They'd be out of a job if it not for the 100+ Million from Mirvac.

It's a great shame that Sam is no longer involved. He unfortunately got bogged down in the shit storm he inherited. With him out of the way, the industry has gone back to the future. Only this time it's not just Harold Park / Menangle to screw up. They're Property Moguls now. A new string to their bow. Fingers crossed with that.

I was out at Menangle on Saturday night. A 3 hour return trip from Metropolitan Glebe, Sydney to the provincials. Anyone who was coming was there before the weather turned. Free entry and it was a poor turnout. They're losing the Interdominion which leaves them the Miracle Mile. I assume they'll charge an entry free that night ? A once a year gate. Those Pokies must be sucking the locals in good and proper.

I'm only getting warmed up Richard. Terror To Love is next : )

[MJD]

Keystone Del nominated for FFA at Melton $20500...

Cordina will be an intriguing first 400m with tons of speed...Bettor Bet Black maybe fastest off the arm???

Thanks, makes sense as to ehy not @ Menangle & he has a busy season ahead of him contesting Victorian features so good to get him to Vic this early to settle in

[Messenger]

You guys are giving "The Board" too much credit. It's mostly made up of the same hacks that ran Harold Park into the ground. Any drama or intrigue is by accident not design. They'd be out of a job if it not for the 100+ Million from Mirvac.

It's a great shame that Sam is no longer involved. He unfortunately got bogged down in the shit storm he inherited. With him out of the way, the industry has gone back to the future. Only this time it's not just Harold Park / Menangle to screw up. They're Property Moguls now. A new string to their bow. Fingers crossed with that.

I was out at Menangle on Saturday night. A 3 hour return trip from Metropolitan Glebe, Sydney to the provincials. Anyone who was coming was there before the weather turned. Free entry and it was a poor turnout. They're losing the Interdominion which leaves them the Miracle Mile. I assume they'll charge an entry free that night ? A once a year gate. Those Pokies must be sucking the locals in good and proper.

I'm only getting warmed up Richard. Terror To Love is next : )

I hear you Bob

I once posted this

I will try and keep 'on thread' as I fear this may be more a topic for a separate thread
If we are to be customer focussed we must listen to their concerns but if you read the report that this thread is about it addresses the fact that the customers need horses to bet on
I see owners as customers too really
Don't you think that the 'awareness, attendance & interest' that you list as critical is fostered my country towns all around the country having locals involved. Don't most of the big pros start off as small hics even in the gallopers. The next pro like Cramp or Weir can come from anywhere. I really fear we have too many eggs in the Melton and Menangle baskets because if we think centralization is the answer well they are not even Melbourne and Sydney suburbs. Do you think they are the answer Mitch?

If you read either of Ray Chaplin's reports that I have linked on this and other threads you will see it is a much bigger problem than the punting dollar. My thread from a couple of months back about how we get more of the punting $ ended up showing that (I believe) and if you read some of the post by Danno and co. I think it answers your pro v hobbyist question too Mitch

I posted it in the thread
http://www.harnessracingforum.com/showthread.php?6358-Standardbred-Breeding-and-Utilization-Report-What-is-the-future-of-our-industry-sport/page2
Which was about Ray Chaplin's report

We should both probably be posting in that thread not this one about the MM

[HaroldParker]

Terror To Love was invited by default. I had the nights racing on IQ and watched the interview with Christensen waffling on about the conditions and how they could only invite horses that raced in NZ or WA or had won the CCA or Newcastle Mile etc Waffle Waffle and more Waffle. Adore Me dissed them. I assume Franco Nelson did the same ?

I don't think it's in the conditions but in the mind of the Directors, there needs to be 2 horses from NZ to make it a truly "International" race. If TTL had dissed them, they would have checked in on Monkey King. It's only been 3 years :)

Suave Stuey has his work cut out for him on Saturday. There's more speed to his inside there than he'd face in 2 Miracle Miles. If Bettor Bet Black doesn't cross Devil Dodger very early, which gives BBB some hope of finding the fence, Lauren will be posted until at least the 1/4, perhaps further. Of course if BBB does cross the 2-1 will look very good Stuey turning out of the straight the first time. I'll be playing around Punt and to a lesser extent King to win a little if one places or a lot if one wins.

If Stuey doesn't win on Saturday night and Franco Nelson didn't diss them, I wouldn't be surprised if the latter gets the final invite after Guaranteed and the Cordina winner get theirs. It's stacked against the locals and despite her detractors, mostly because of one unfortunate accident, Lauren Panella is the best thing the industry here has going for it, from the outside looking in. She interviews well, I find her to be very professional on and off the track and she's giving it to the Boys.

[HaroldParker]

I remember reading the report a few months ago Kevin and I agreed with nearly everything in it. The Truer is gonski, what's next for Bankstown ? Penrith is virtually invisible and the support card for Newcastle a few weeks ago was disappointing, what support ?

I have as much confidence in Anderson and Co down there as I do with those up here.

I have clients in Perth. It's a good excuse to get to Gloucester Park a few times a year. Chalk and cheese. I do try and get there for a feature night but even so, it's a more vibrant, younger and knowledgeable crowd, yes a crowd. You have to laugh to when you hear rusted on Eastern State wags telling WA what they should do.

Back to the Miracle Mile, rant over :)

[trish]

Thanks, makes sense as to ehy not @ Menangle & he has a busy season ahead of him contesting Victorian features so good to get him to Vic this early to settle in


Hi Matthew, Nicole Molander has purchased property in Victoria & is moving there.

[The Form Student]

Here's what Shane has to say about the MM invitations! He is spot on!

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/miracle-mile-2014-shane-tritton-confused-at-suave-stuey-lombos-route-to-miracle-mile/story-fni2gg7e-1227126166520 (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/superracing/miracle-mile-2014-shane-tritton-confused-at-suave-stuey-lombos-route-to-miracle-mile/story-fni2gg7e-1227126166520)

[trish]

Mr Dunn said, "Franco Nelson was passed over for a Miracle Mile invite at the expense of Terror To Love, who got the second Kiwi invite to next week’s A$750,000 race, even though Franco Nelson beat him twice last week".


So as Bob said they need 2 from NZ (international), I reckon Guaranteed will get his invite, & then 1st & 2nd from the Cordina.

[The Form Student]

Your probably right Trish, the MM is just becoming a "celebrity" event! Without a Victorian starter it would not have the glamour effect they are after! If Guaranteed was the great stayer that he is made to be, why didn't Gavin Lang persist with keeping the death seat when he had Beautide trapped out their 3 wide in CCA last Saturday (it was a Group 1 event!......he would have made himself a certain starter in the MM by winning. Are there deals being done in the background? If Beautide draws inside Guaranteed in MM, I can't see him beating him on ability! Interestingly, they did not beat the 1:50.1 that Stuey has run at 2 of his 3 latest wins at Menangle! And no-one has beaten Stuey's 1:49.237 in a trial at Menangle in September, in recent times!

[trish]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B2ipZXdCMAA-bHg.jpg:large

I have been watching a few peoples twitter's this week & Greg Hayes put up the conditions & HRNSW have not broken any rules this year.

Maybe if they are going to give "invites" out why have qualifying lead ups???

[Messenger]

I hope the races lives up to the pre-race hype!

[trish]

Been going on for as long as I can remember Kevin


.http://www.harnesslink.com/International/Is-another-Miracle-Mile-controvery-on-the-cards-

[Richard prior]

Lots of intrigue with both races Kev, Saturday nights race shapes to be a cracker with a couple of highy fancied horses drawn wide, The inside horses will come out humming and it will be very interesting to see what tactics young Lauren adopts, Maybe she won't fire SSL off the gate but sit back and take a position and then come around when everything's settled, Pretty sure that a few of the other drivers will be looking around for SSL and Lauren if he's not driven out of the gate, Very interesting stuff.

[The Form Student]

Yes, the rules are quite clear! Some may think that For A Reason, has gotten in on a technicality, due to "travel", he is now probably back at Cobbitty, relaxing in his spa bath,...... waiting for his MM run? So it is all up to the Cordina Sprint this week! It will be most unfortunate if Menangle's fastest horse does not get a run! A consolation as a reserve won't count if no run eventuates!

[Race For Fun]

The post from Trish is interesting re: field size, minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 plus 2 reserves........ They wouldn't go with 6 or 7 starters would they? :D

[The Form Student]

Lots of intrigue with both races Kev, Saturday nights race shapes to be a cracker with a couple of highy fancied horses drawn wide, The inside horses will come out humming and it will be very interesting to see what tactics young Lauren adopts, Maybe she won't fire SSL off the gate but sit back and take a position and then come around when everything's settled, Pretty sure that a few of the other drivers will be looking around for SSL and Lauren if he's not driven out of the gate, Very interesting stuff.

I would be highly surprised if SSL does not fire out of the gate and continue for the lead for whatever distance is required to get the lead!.............there is really no other option!......you might see a 1st quarter in the low 25's!

[trish]

Am I allowed to put peoples twitter thingies on, anyone know???? I guess they make it public though don't they.

[aussiebreno]

Ross Lyon, Ken Hinkley "Anyone, anywhere, anytime"

SSL can do it. As I've said before, don't let the traditional poor record of the Cordina fool you.

Stuey raced 3 weeks in a row in QLD

He can lead and win this week and do the same next week.

I don't think anybody should be begruding the current invites.

The rules are clear cut. They've been applied appropriately.

If Stuey has to win a lead up to get his place so be it. Better position to be in than having too many invites and something running an unlucky 2nd or 3rd and NSWHRC having no wiggle room to get them in. Imagine the uproar if there was only one spot left coming into this week and Bling It On runs 2nd a nose after copping interference (touchwood he doesn't cop interference). NSWHRC have to protect themselves and give some wiggle room.

For this non issue to get so much airplay is ridiculous.
http://static1.holidayextras.com/images/family-travel/crying-baby.jpg

[Race For Fun]

I thought we are just having a discussion, I don't think anyone is getting too worked up after all none of us will need to have a speach organised. :D

[trish]

This made me laugh.


Gareth Hall @ghall27 · 13h 13 hours ago (https://twitter.com/ghall27/status/534301565192896512)
Trots - I am that confident Beautide will win the Miracle Mile I will do a challenge on the gig which can be set by the best tweet



https://twitter.com/ghall27/status/534301565192896512

[The Form Student]

The post from Trish is interesting re: field size, minimum of 6 and a maximum of 8 plus 2 reserves........ They wouldn't go with 6 or 7 starters would they? :D

Yes 6 starters only, but the reserves go in the draw for a barrier, just in case they get a run!

[The Form Student]

Ross Lyon, Ken Hinkley "Anyone, anywhere, anytime"

SSL can do it. As I've said before, don't let the traditional poor record of the Cordina fool you.

Stuey raced 3 weeks in a row in QLD

He can lead and win this week and do the same next week.

I don't think anybody should be begruding the current invites.

The rules are clear cut. They've been applied appropriately.

If Stuey has to win a lead up to get his place so be it. Better position to be in than having too many invites and something running an unlucky 2nd or 3rd and NSWHRC having no wiggle room to get them in. Imagine the uproar if there was only one spot left coming into this week and Bling It On runs 2nd a nose after copping interference (touchwood he doesn't cop interference). NSWHRC have to protect themselves and give some wiggle room.

For this non issue to get so much airplay is ridiculous.
http://static1.holidayextras.com/images/family-travel/crying-baby.jpg

What would you like to talk about?...........The Methodology of Division 7A calculations and loopholes?

[aussiebreno]

What would you like to talk about?...........The Methodology of Division 7A calculations and loopholes? LOL! No thanks. I guess another 5 pages of SSL whinging doesn't seem so bad after all...

[The Form Student]

Unfortunately, poor SSL is a victim of his own circumstances! But as the fastest horse around Menangle since Smoken Up set the track record.....I really hope he gets a run! That's it from me!.....until after the Cordina! :)

[teecee]

What would you like to talk about?...........The Methodology of Division 7A calculations and loopholes?


hey kev...
as a former educator can you explain to the masses what this guy's talkin' about at all??!!!

[The Form Student]

hey kev...
as a former educator can you explain to the masses what this guy's talkin' about at all??!!!

If you were an accountant you would know!......obviously, Brendan saw the funny side to it!

Or if you had a company, and you were giving yourself some extra money to spend!

[The Form Student]

I think Kev has got Gout from eating those lobsters you caught the other day! lol!

[Race For Fun]

Yes 6 starters only, but the reserves go in the draw for a barrier, just in case they get a run!

Think that there have been 8 starters plus 2 reserves for a few years. But rules say minimum of 6 maximum of 8 plus 2 reserves. Which means that they have the option as to how many starters they have.

Just reading the rules that Trish posted.

[The Form Student]

Think that there have been 8 starters plus 2 reserves for a few years. But rules say minimum of 6 maximum of 8 plus 2 reserves. Which means that they have the option as to how many starters they have.

Just reading the rules that Trish posted.

Sorry. you are right, they usually go with 8, but what I mean't was they could go with 6 or 7, if they chose to!

[Pena]

If SSL was trained by anyone other than ST would already be in much more exciting than TTL

[The Form Student]

If SSL was trained by anyone other than ST would already be in much more exciting than TTL

Jack, that's not correct, I want SSL in the MM more than any other runner............he just hasn't met the criteria yet! Why has ST got to do with him not getting a run yet?

[aussiebreno]

If NSWHRC/HRNSW were going to play stupid games like that against Tritton, wouldn't they do it against McCarthy as well? Taking FAR to NZ weakens the local NSW lead up races.

[The Form Student]

HRNSW releases details of the Retention Barn requirements for MM!

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=24978

[Messenger]

Sorry. you are right, they usually go with 8, but what I mean't was they could go with 6 or 7, if they chose to!

I would almost prefer a field of 6
Anything other than a lightning beginner has little chance of winning from 7 or 8 unless they are in the Beautide/Quinny class
Take the Cordina (admittedly a field of 10) but what chance has Abettorpunt got coming from 10
Over 2300m then we are talking a fair race

[aussiebreno]

I would prefer a 6 horse field but they may as well get rid of that clause. There's been plenty opportunity to go with a 6 or 7 horse field and they haven't.

[Smoken]

If Beautide can lead somehow, and retain the lead, what will his chances be as opposed to taking a trail? Or do the majority think he can death seat and be to good? I don't think he should be as short as he is IMO.

[The Form Student]

Unbeatable!

[trish]

A bit more.....................http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2705922/suave-stuey-lombo-sprints-for-mile-invite/?cs=306

[Toohard]

Where's our invite? Checked mail 3 times today...gas bill and junk mail.

[brent_L]

If Beautide can lead somehow, and retain the lead, what will his chances be as opposed to taking a trail? Or do the majority think he can death seat and be to good? I don't think he should be as short as he is IMO.
He can lead for sure if the draw goes his way. The mobile barrier goes a whole lot quicker for the MM. It's all hypotheticals, but if he leads next week he'll win by as far as C Cullen did!

[Smoken]

I've learnt enough to know that everything and anything is beatable lol. It will be a very interesting race, and can't wait for the barrier draw! My tips from now are, Christen Me and Gauranteed(if he's in).

[Messenger]

Where's our invite? Checked mail 3 times today...gas bill and junk mail.

So that is why SSL has not been invited :eek:

[The Form Student]

I suppose if you go back far enough in a horses form line you will find some chinks in their armour!

[Toohard]

I suppose if you go back far enough in a horses form line you will find some chinks in their armour!

hahaha!

"Chink In Armour". Now there's a good name for a horse.

Invite still not here. HRNSW said all hanging on result of Race 5 Melton tomorrow night...

[Toohard]

Invite still not here. HRNSW said all hanging on result of Race 5 Melton tomorrow night...

For sale - For next weekend.... 2 return flights Melbourne - Sydney, and 2 nights accommodation.

[Messenger]

For sale - For next weekend.... 2 return flights Melbourne - Sydney, and 2 nights accommodation.

What about the prepaid booking at Aria restaurant for the Saturday night?

[The Form Student]

Not quite, the accommodation is at Rydges Campbelltown, and a voucher for the bistro at the Catholic Club next door! (kids eat free!)

[Messenger]

Not quite, the accommodation is at Rydges Campbelltown, and a voucher for the bistro at the Catholic Club next door! (kids eat free!)

No, that would not have been the booking of the MM winning camp

[The Form Student]

OK, Aria to celebrate, maybe Harold Parker could drop them off on his way home!

[brent_L]

They should only go with 7 starters next week IMO. Going on the clubs criteria, Mark Dennis should be next in.

[Smoken]

SSL just hung on.. He was all out! BBB would have had him in another few lengths, and has MD improved or what! Poor ABOP.. BIO ran a good race, considering it was his first go against some of the big boys. He'll be good to watch next season and further.
What state is the track in, as time was average for that class. SSL would have to really improve on that run to be any sort of chance..

[The Escape Club]

Avonova
Beautide
Christen Me
For A Reason
Guaranteed
Suave Stuey Lombo
Terror To Love
Easy On The Eye


Bettor Bet Black 1EM
Chariot King 2EM

[Messenger]

Should have gone with 7 and no emergencies - Franco Nelson most unlucky not to be in that field

[Smoken]

Franco Nelson=shafted

[aussiebreno]

TAB Fixed Odds Pre Draw

Beautide $1.90
Christen Me $5
Guaranteed $6
For A Reason $7.50
Suave Stuey Lombo $9
Terror To Love $14
Avonnova $16
Easy on the Eye $21

Surely Beautide should not be that short? There's nothing to me that says he's better than he was 6-12 months ago. Reverse runs last year and Christen Me just about beats him. Pre draw $1.90 is crazy. Vic Cup we seen FAR beats him with easier run. SSL $9 is crazy odds, he has beaten Beautide multiple times lately. Avonnova $16 after breaking Albion Park and Newcastle track records lately is crazy.

[brent_L]

Well I'll be buggered.....they want horses to compete in the lead up races and here we have a horse who finished 3rd in BOTH races and he isn't even an emergency. IMBECILES, the lot of them!!

[aussiebreno]

Well I'll be buggered.....they want horses to compete in the lead up races and here we have a horse who finished 3rd in BOTH races and he isn't even an emergency. IMBECILES, the lot of them!!
4th last week. But yes, how Chariot King is in a head of him boggles the mind.

[brent_L]

4th last week.
My bad

[Smoken]

Couldn't agree more Brent & Brenno! These people need to give themselves an uppercut or two..
$1.90? Are these people serious or what.. I suppose it's at there discretion... Top Job fellas...

[Messenger]

How long are you going to be Ranko Rox for Brendan?

[trish]

Trots: M Mile draw1 Easy Eye2 Avon3 Beautide4 Christen 5 For Reason6 Char King em7 Guaranteed8 Suave 9 Bettor Black10 Terror Love



Will Terror still come????

[Smoken]

Beautide $1.75 fav.. Way to short! Not a good thing by any means. Gauranteed is a very big danger, along with Christen Me. Can Nova do it? Tritton says EOTE will lead and not hand up.. If that's the truth, things can get very interesting... TTL is cursed with the worst draws... Might as well not bother coming...

[trish]

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=25011

[aussiebreno]

If Easy on the Eye does lead it will just make the pace hotter and make it harder for Suave Stuey Lombo coming across. Stuey could go back but then you need a COT.
I don't think Easy on the Eye will lead.

[brent_L]

It sounds silly but geez I reckon Avonnova has drawn poorly in 2......he can't cross the pole marker, if he death seats Beau will run straight past him (+others IMO), and if he ducks to the pegs behind the early leader Stuey will probably run to the front shuffling him 3 pegs. Worst 2 draw I've ever seen.

[Smoken]

I was thinking te same thing as you Brent.. He has to try take on EOTE, otherwise he won't be near them at the finish.. I'm confident Gauranteed/Christen Me will run a massive race.. Beautide obviously is a big chance, but silly odds!

[trish]

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/Christen-Me-a-huge-threat-to-Beautide

[Amlin]

How it all started - found this classic Brian Howard footage last week


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cagm9vUWTis&feature=youtu.be (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cagm9vUWTis&feature=youtu.be)

[Danno]

Beautide, Beautide,Beautide, read about it in the papers.....he has just started to peak at exactly the right time and has a gem of a draw, only very bad luck will beat him.

[Race For Fun]

Beautide, Beautide,Beautide, read about it in the papers.....he has just started to peak at exactly the right time and has a gem of a draw, only very bad luck will beat him.

Yes yes yes has been set for this race and has done everything asked of him so far by trainer and has a proven big race driver. There is no substitute for a driver who can produce the right drive in big races.

[djgood]

Beautide, Beautide,Beautide, read about it in the papers.....he has just started to peak at exactly the right time and has a gem of a draw, only very bad luck will beat him.

Been trained for it, James didnt want him to run the 1:50 miles a month or 2 ago like SSL waa he wants him to do it this weekend I think if he has too he will break 1:48

[p plater]

My 2 cents worth, watch the horse that will be sitting on Beautides back and get a lovely suck along and have the last shot. Christen Me

[HISGEN65]

not many of you chaps rating AVONNOVA a chance hey?..from that draw I reakon he is a big chance..who ever beats him will have earned it thats for sure

[Smoken]

Breaking the record will be extremely hard to do, and breaking 1.48 will be even more difficult. More than a few very genuine winning chances in this race.. Still leaning towards Gauranteed & Christen Me, and if Nova somehow crossed to the front, Beautide's chances will take a big dive. Will be a cracker!

[trish]

From Shane Tritton's twitter

Just a reminder of what Stuey is capable of ..http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au/trotstv/replays/14519 … (http://t.co/PrwToXQMlT) #27 28 26 27 in the death seat ... JUST SAYING

[trish]

Lead times, I know different tracks.
Newcastle Mile AVON 27.1 from the 9 gate
Menangle CC sprint EOTE 26.4 from the 1 gate
Menangle C sprint BBB handed up to SSL in 26.8 from the 8 gate.

[Smoken]

Stuey will hope for a good tow in te race. He can't cross this lot, and if he somehow does get outside the leader, he would have run his race in this elite field.. Would have been a different kettle of fish if he drew a good barrier..

[brent_L]

My 2 cents worth, watch the horse that will be sitting on Beautides back and get a lovely suck along and have the last shot. Christen Me
He does look an outstanding e/w bet. I've absolutely zero clue on how they will settle down (Avon the undeniable key IMO) but I keep thinking back to the Vic cup when CM went straight past Beau.
Look for Guaranteed to sprout wings late driven stone cold. He'll be my bet....to place.

[brent_L]

Stuey will hope for a good tow in te race. He can't cross this lot, and if he somehow does get outside the leader, he would have run his race in this elite field.. Would have been a different kettle of fish if he drew a good barrier..
I won't quite goes as far as Breno's nudie run call, but I'll flash the neighbours if Lauren goes back on Satdy night Smoken.....reckon u have that one way off mate.

[Smoken]

I just can't see Stuey leading this field Brent, and even if he did end up outside the leader, or in front, he's a sitting shot. I see where you're coming from, as he's best up front.
I agree that Nova is the key here. What does Shane Graham do? Most people are saying that there won't be no mid race moves.. I dont agree. Out of curiosity, if Beautide held the lead, could he run the sub 1.50 time and win? Btw, it's possible that I could be 100% wrong like I have been before lmfao :p

[trish]

I won't quite goes as far as Breno's nudie run call, but I'll flash the neighbours if Lauren goes back on Satdy night Smoken.....reckon u have that one way off mate.


I tend to agree that LP will go forward, and I think EOTE will hold AVON out till SSL gets there.

[brent_L]

1 will lead early
The only horse the leader would hand up to is Stuey
Avon has the speed to keep Stuey wide the whole way
IMO the best chance Avon has of finishing near the winner (or possibly winning) is to go to the pegs
If Avon does go to the pegs the race is wide open & Beau is 7/4+

They r the reasons IMO CM & G'teed are the plays at the current odds.

[brent_L]

I tend to agree that LP will go forward, and I think EOTE will hold AVON out till SSL gets there.
But that's the $750K question Trish.......will Shane hand up the death??

[Smoken]

Sounds like a fair assessment. I don't think Nova will drop to the pegs, he will keep out Stuey and press for the lead. Good luck to all horses and drivers. Personally, I'd like to see Gauranteed or Nova win.

[The Form Student]

If Beautide led, he would only be going as fast as he had to!.........James Rattray loves to cuddle them when in front!.............I hope he doesn't lead, and think the 1 will lead, and the rest can sort their positions out from their!.........if I was on Avonnova, I would be going to the fence!

[trish]

But that's the $750K question Trish.......will Shane hand up the death??


Should have added SSL will press on & EOTE will hand up, maybe?

[Danno]

Just a reminder.....the race is won at 1609 metres, not 400, not 800, .....on the line... Beautide has too much class for a VERY good field with his alley, if he drew out in the carpark that would mean he would have to work EXTRA hard at SOME stage, from the three.....he's too good, like to be as sure of winning the lottery! no certanties in racing particularly at this level but gee I think the "Tassie Terminator" will do a job on them!

Cheers,
Dan

[Maorisidol]

I think one things for sure, if Stuey doesnt lead, Stuey doesnt win.
And i cant see Nova letting him get past, so is SSL left 3 wide or does the pole horse relent and let Nova cross after a torrid 400m cos EOTE cannot win fullstop. If he tries to lead all the way he will be squashed even worse than last week and be further down the prizemoney winnings than he could be if he immediately took a sit.
EOTE and SSL have different owners so i am sure S W Hoffman the owner of EOTE wouldnt want his horse put up as the bunny in a MM and slaughtered just so a stablemate can get a better chance...
This puts Beau and Christen Me sitting real close by waiting to pounce and of course Guaranteed and lets not forget the "other" horse who has a 1:49.4 to his name For A Reason.
I think Beau has simply been trained to the minute for this race and we will see his best race ever here. Last week he was 3 wide for maybe the first 800 as was Guaranteed and Guaranteed was catching him, not saying he was gonna get him but what a run by both.
Will be a super MM cant wait.

[trish]

The ones who do no work will fight it out I reckon........I'm backing CM & FAR.

[The Form Student]

Late scratching TTL, BBB leads throughout in 1:48.6!!!!!

[Big Mac]

EOTE, ananova and SSL to go nuts three deep for first 800. Beautide and gaurenteed to fight it out. Sub 1.50

[Messenger]

Is there anyone that disagrees that this would be a better race over 2300m?

[Smoken]

Agree! Who would you be on Kev? I know that I'd still be on Gauranteed and Christen Me.

[Messenger]

On preparation and experience I would have to go for Beau (I think?!)

[Smoken]

I just have a feeling that these horses are really catching up to Beautide, and if Beautide does still dominate, it will be for 1 more season. Again, I have been wrong before :p I can't wait until LTS is back..

[Messenger]

You may well be right Ev, I just like him this time as he has had the perfect prep - being set for this and not going up and down in distance like the NZ campaigners (and of course he has runs on the board)

[Smoken]

He is the one to beat for sure, but he definitely can be beaten IMO.

[Danno]

They can ALL be beaten guys, and this current crop of top liners is certainly a bit more even matched than we have seen in recent years with the dominance of horses like Blackie, Trigger and Quinnie, but I know I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but in my humble opinion, Beautide IS the emerging star, what the horse can do during a run.... against the best available....when right, and don't forget the horse was an M0 horse 15 months ago.....the people managing him are still learning about how to get and keep him top notch! I will eat humble pie if he gets a reasonable run and gets done over the next short while, but I don't think I will be able to tell you what humble pie tastes like somehow.

[Danno]

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=25043

not so sure this will do the trick.....bit like sitting in the death going 1:50 at Newcastle....a dream gone wrong......

[brent_L]

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=25043

not so sure this will do the trick.....bit like sitting in the death going 1:50 at Newcastle....a dream gone wrong......
I do hope we don't see a repeat of last years mobile barrier speed, it was farcical.

I have 2 bones of contention with what Tritton has said......1 Stuey has now had two chances to cross Nova and hasn't gone close to succeeding. What makes him think Satdy night will be any different? 2 if Nova does let Stuey across it would be lunacy to set up a sub 1:50 speed with him in the death.....surely, in this instance, Lauren would be let run to the top.

[aussiebreno]

1 Christen Me
2 Beautide
3 Avonnova

[aussiebreno]

Christen Me had to death seat last year whereas Beautide got a really nice trip. Christen Me won't have to do the same work this year and will be close enough. Showed in the Vic Cup he can beat Beautide home.
At the prices I would much rather be on Christen Me. Winner comers from those two one would think.

For A Reason probably just a tad off Beautide and Christen Me last year I thought and needs a lot nicer run to beat them. From that draw he won't get it. I have him a length and a half or two off the big 2 given the runs they will get. However, in my book Avonnova is a better 1 v 1 all things square horse than FAR. I know it's against popular opinion but Avonnova could well get a very nice run and win. He shouldn't be too far off anyway.

EOTE not good enough. Given the Avonnova result at Newcastle I don't think Stuey can win from that draw.
Guaranteed a bad draw as well. Put in a real nice run last time out but biggest test to date drawn there is a risk. Very capable though.

[trish]

http://www.harnesslink.com/News/More-questions-than-answers-at-Menangle

So is Tritton bluffing, hoping to hold the lead with Easy On The Eye only to hand it over to Suave Stuey Lombo as soon as he can?




http://www.harnesslink.com/International/Shane-s-statistics-support-Stuey

[trish]

http://www.harness.org.au/news-article.cfm?news_id=25076


“I’m expecting to be in front but that just my thoughts and I haven’t gone into any discussion with Shaney yet about tactics. If Easy On The Eye does hold us, I don’t think we’d hand over to Suave Stuey Lombo which makes things interesting.”

[littlelenny]

Fantastic field to line up and its got everyone guessing as to who will lead out of the 3 EOTE, Avonnova or Stuey. I dont think it will make too much of a difference to the result because I think Beautide and Christen Me will be too strong late. But what it has done is got every talking about the MM, even people who dont even follow Harness racing have shown interest, I have had family and friends as well as their friends all call me to discuss the MM. Who will lead? Will EOTE really hold out Stuey if he crosses Avonnova? What time will they run if they burn in the first quarter? Can they break the track record? These are the questions that they all ask and my answer has been watch it and all your questions will be answered. Its good to see more people showing an interest in our game especially when alot of them normally only show an interest in the gallops.

Anyway its going to be a cracker of a race Im tipping
Beautide
Christen Me
FAR
Avonnova or Stuey
149.1

[Race For Fun]

Well SSL is in the field which I think to be honest the race need him to be there just to ensure that there would be genuine raw speed early if nothing else, after all the race has always been about what time they will run as much as who will win. If memory serves me correct wasn't there a MM a year or two back where McCarthy's had two runners who's normal race style did not pan out in the race and it changed the way other horses where driven expecting these horse to follow plan A but this did not happen (if I am wrong I stand corrected), I still think Beautide will win. I think whoever does win will need to be able to go low 1:50 at least that's where I think Easy On The Eye and Avonnova will struggle (but I've been wrong before). I think SSL will go forward no matter what for how ever long it takes to get the lead as this is how he has been driven all along so I can't see them changing their plan now. It's this one plan that has everyone trying to second guess what they are going to do if they get the lead with EOTE. No prize for guessing they hand up to SSL and no one else. I do not think that there is anything sus with that plan because who wouldn't want to be behind the leader SSL as he drifts out in the straight in the run home?

For what it's worth

1 Beautide
2 Christen Me
???? Guaranteed, SSL or For A Reason

Should be a great race and good luck to all.

[Smoken]

Gareth Hall sure has Herculean thoughts regarding Beautide.. He claims he's even better than BAF and Quinny.. Beautide should absolutely annihilate them tonight if Gazza is right :p

[trish]

http://iform.hrnsw.com.au/Meeting/Details/949?r=7

[Race For Fun]

http://iform.hrnsw.com.au/Meeting/Details/949?r=7

Whoever did that from has SSL crossing Avon in the first 400 but Avon in death as he can't cross the 1 but the 8 can cross everyone. I wish whoever does this fanciful form had to print his form results each week. He might be right but how fast will SSL have to run out of the gate?

[Messenger]

Whoever did that from has SSL crossing Avon in the first 400 but Avon in death as he can't cross the 1 but the 8 can cross everyone. I wish whoever does this fanciful form had to print his form results each week. He might be right but how fast will SSL have to run out of the gate?

I cannot see Avon letting that happen either Toni.
However it pans out (Avon or Stuey in the D) it seems extremely likely that Beau will be in the 1x1 and whether he wins may be determined by how early he has to go 3W (and at what pace) and who gets the 3WT - CM and FAR may have the class to make up the necessary 4m

I think it will be suicide for EOTE to try and hold the lead when Avon and Stuey go to war. If he did and Stuey got posted 3W and say Guaranteed grabbed his back, could Beau get held up in the 1x1?

There are lots of scenarios which makes the lead up interesting - let's hope the race really is full on

[trish]

Hi Toni
Yea I don't know who does this IFORM but if that's true SSL will have to go very very fast! low 26's/higher 25's ???

[Race For Fun]

That's right Trish everyone knows that they want to lead on SSL but they want to win the race more. Agree with you Kevin about the Beautide maybe getting cluttered behind or inside horses who have worked. What's the chance of some horses working too hard early and some getting cluttered and TTL swooping late? He is a very good horse who has the ability....... No as much as I'd like to see it happen I don't think it will either.

[Maorisidol]

Whoever did that from has SSL crossing Avon in the first 400 but Avon in death as he can't cross the 1 but the 8 can cross everyone. I wish whoever does this fanciful form had to print his form results each week. He might be right but how fast will SSL have to run out of the gate?

Stu has never crossed Nova!

[aussiebreno]

Why can't Avonnova cross and hand up to Beautide. Or even sit Beautide parked until Stuey comes and gives him the 1-1?

[Race For Fun]

I wonder if Avonnova gets the lead if they may try to hold it?

[Messenger]

Why can't Avonnova cross and hand up to Beautide. Or even sit Beautide parked until Stuey comes and gives him the 1-1?

I think Avon will cross EOTE when the pressure comes from Stuey but why would he hand up to Beau?

[aussiebreno]

I think Avon will cross EOTE when the pressure comes from Stuey but why would he hand up to Beau?
Who knows how hard he may have to work to the lead (if it eventuates), and then if he going to have Stuey come hook into him it might be wiser to just let Beautide go to the front and let him cop the abuse from Stuey.

[trish]

Harness Racing NSW @HRNSW_Harness ·
Please take note that tonight's Live Stream has been cancelled. All races will be shown on Sky Racing 1. We apologise for the inconvenience

[Big Max]

I think the whole EOTE holding the lead is just talk,i think the lead will be there for Nova quite early because that will only help Stuey to get across without busting a gut, and if i was the owners of EOTE following a horse that just broke Beautides newcastle record is a pretty good trip in a MM.Who knows maybe CM will blast off the gate and have a crack.Gotta love the intrigue of this race.
I think i'll be taking a quiet box tri (Beautide,FAR,NOVA,CM)
Safe trip to all involved!

[Messenger]

Who knows how hard he may have to work to the lead (if it eventuates), and then if he going to have Stuey come hook into him it might be wiser to just let Beautide go to the front and let him cop the abuse from Stuey.

The way I see it Brendan, Avon finding the lead and fending off Stuey will all be the one event (inside the first 400m)

Gee it would be a cracking race if it was over 2000+

[Richard prior]

Great thread Guys and incredibly interesting, Short and sweet for me, Can't seperate Christen Me and Beautide.
Christen Me
Beautide
Garanteed

[Smoken]

Congrats Christen Me. To good tonight, very good run by Beautide, & Gauranteed will be a very serious horse in the Grand Circuit season/s to come! Great run by TTL! 1.49.2 very quick run! Makes you wonder what kind of a horse Trigger was to do it all on his own to run 1.48.5.. Mind boggling!

[Race For Fun]

Yes all credit to winner great win. First 4 horses all very good runs. It looks good for the rest of the grand circuit races.

[brent_L]

Prize money for 6th, 7th & last (Stuey checked) = $15K......that's what u r ALWAYS going to collect when u go 25.2 out of the gate with world class horse flesh behind you. Lunacy!

[Smoken]

Lunacy indeed Brent! Insane...

[Richard prior]

Prize money for 6th, 7th & last (Stuey checked) = $15K......that's what u r ALWAYS going to collect when u go 25.2 out of the gate with world class horse flesh behind you. Lunacy!
And a bit of Dodgem Car action on the corners as well, Some people just never learn.

[p plater]

And a bit of Dodgem Car action on the corners as well, Some people just never learn.

Very lucky it didn't create another disaster, like before

[Messenger]

I wanted to watch a replay first but Trots TV and Sky are not obliging but was it Lauren not taking due care again?

[Richard prior]

Yes Kev but this time SSL might have been injured.

[p plater]

She got 5 weeks