Get set for harness racing’s biggest day of the year this Sunday, February 28 at Menangle as the Miracle Mile Carnival reaches its climax.
The 2016 carnival started with the qualifying races for the Miracle Mile on Saturday night, February 13. The second night of the carnival on February 20 featured the all-important barrier draw for the Miracle Mile and the qualifying races for the Oaks and Derby.
The SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile headlines the final day of the carnival this Sunday afternoon (February 28) which includes six Group One races. Harness racing writer SEAN CUNNINGHAM has the low down on what to expect at Menangle this Sunday:
The Miracle Mile barrier draw has handed Beautide a great chance of a smooth passage around the circuit and has justified his favouritism for the big race.
Tactics could have a huge influence in deciding the result with Lennytheshark and Have Faith In Me drawn close to Beautide.
The start of the race could be crucial in determining the outcome as the major contenders settle in position going around the first turn.
Although the 2013 Miracle Mile winner Beautide is believed to be a better horse over a longer distance, its form in recent runs has done nothing to suggest it can’t lower the colours of the opposition over the 1609 metres.
However, it looks possible there could be a changing of the guard with the seasoned campaigners set to step aside for the younger generation of superstars, such as Have Faith In Me and Arms Of An Angel.
With Shane Tritton’s speedster, Arms Of An Angel, drawing the inside gate and set to lead, a sub-1.50s time is on the cards, but the big question will be … can any horse hold off the blistering sprinting ability Mark Purdon’s Have Faith In Me is expected to show coming up the home straight?
Both Beautide and Lennytheshark have failed to break the 1.50s mile rate as winners, while Have Faith In Me has already shown he is more than capable of smashing the 1.50s mile rate in winning races.
Despite racing on the outside of the field for most of the race, Have Faith In Me produced a fantastic turn of foot to win in 1.48.8s in the recent Group One Chariots Of Fire.
A case could be made for many in the big race field, however the first four in the betting look to have the prizemoney at their mercy.
♦ Sean Cunningham’s tips for the big one:
1. Have Faith In Me
2. Arms Of An Angel
3. Beautide
