Believe it or not, King Of Swing has plenty at stake ahead of the $1million Ainsworth Miracle Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle this Saturday night.
Carrying favouritism following his dynamic victory in last week’s qualifier, the Allied Express Sprint in 1:49.6 coupled with an ideal draw, the Craig Cross prepared and Luke McCarthy driven pacer is the ‘buzz’ runner ahead of the country’s premier speed test.
Amazingly, he’s come from relative obscurity this season when appearing to be at the crossroads of his career following some indifferent form.
But the decision to switch trainer and states has proven to be the catalyst for a monumental shift in fortunes, within four starts for the Cross/McCarthy barn, the five-year-old entire has claimed back to back Group One victories and looms as the horse to beat in the famed sprint.
Following his Hunter Cup triumph five weeks ago, King Of Swing can claim the outright lead in the 2019/20 Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit if successful in the Miracle Mile with only the Blacks A Fake Queensland Championship at Albion Park in July remaining this term.
The last pacer to complete the Hunter Cup/Miracle Mile double in the same year was Christen Me back in 2014, albeit in different racing seasons, the Hunter Cup was staged in February while the Miracle Mile was held in November that year.
As it stands, Cruz Bromac (170 points) leads the way from Thefixer (110) and Bling It On (105) while King Of Swing (100) is within range.
Also, if successful, King Of Swing can cement his position as a future stud of choice, the son of champion performers Rocknroll Hanover and Twist And Twirl is already a winner of a Breeders Crown, WA Derby and a Hunter Cup while having a personal best time of 1:48.7 to date.
And if King Of Swing scores, he will provide McCarthy with his maiden Miracle Mile trophy.
McCarthy, recognised as one of the all-time great reinsman with 59 Gr.1 victories, 13 at Grand Circuit level, lines up for his 11th Miracle Mile drive with his best result coming in his first attempt when second (Slipnslide) in 2005 behind his father John (Be Good Johnny).
The Cross stable is also represented by Alta Orlando, a decisive winner of last week’s Schweppes Sprint in 1:50.0 – the victory provided Cross with both qualifying winners, an amazing achievement!
The veteran performer has also underatken a massive transformation since being under the care of Cross, the Courage Under Fire gelding possesses a great record at the track and will be handled by original trainer and defending champion Mark Purdon, who scored last year with Spankem.
Purdon has driven a record 25 Grand Circuit winners to date.
Richly talented Kiwi performer A G’s White Socks starts from the inside gate and will carry plenty of support, the Greg and Nina Hope prepared six-year-old will again be handled by Victorian reinsman Greg Sugars.
The last six-year-old New Zealand bred pacer to win the Miracle Mile was My Field Marshal while Christen Me scored in 2014.
Sugars, a dual Grand Circuit winning driver finished third two years ago aboard Soho Tribeca behind My Field Marshal and Jilliby Kung Fu.
My Field Marshal, a winner in record time (1:46.9) two years ago before basically taking no part last year is back at his best, the multiple feature race winner has drawn ideally and should take great benefit from his effort last week when second behind Alta Orlando after leading.
Prepared by master trainer Tim Butt, My Field Marshal will again be handled by Anthony Butt.
The brothers combined have 33 Grand Circuit victories to date.
Tough pacer Code Bailey represents the ‘Big V’ of Victoria for Marg and Jason Lee, the last Victorian to win the Miracle Mile was Lennytheshark back in 2017.
The mother/son combination finished second two years ago with Jilliby Kung Fu behind My Field Marshal.
Code Bailey produced a game effort last week when second behind King Of Swing in 1:49.6 after sitting parked throughout.
New Zealand mare Bettors Heart, a winner of last week’s Gr.1 Ladyship Mile in 1:49.7 takes her spot in the elite field and looks to become the fourth mare to win the prestigious event.
Robin Dundee, Norms Daughter and Baby Bling are the only mares to win the Miracle Mile since first being staged back in 1967.
Since being staged at Menangle from 2009, Baby Bling is the only mare to win at the 1400m oval.
The last mare to contest the Miracle Mile was Arms Of An Angel back in 2016, the Shane Tritton prepared mare finished third behind Have Faith In Me and Lennytheshark.
Prepared by Peter Bagrie and to be driven by John Dunn, Bettors Heart is hoping to keep the winning New Zealand flavour alive.
Following the switch from Harold Park to Menangle, New Zealand bred winners include Monkey King, Smoken Up (x 2), Baby Bling, Christen Me, Have Faith In Me, My Field Marshal and Spankem.
Chariots Of Fire winnerLochinvar Art can continue the great success the four-year-old’s have in the feature in recent years, the Chariots seems to be the perfect pathway for the Miracle Mile.
Spankem completed the double last year while Jilliby Kung Fu finished second in 2018 after winning the Chariots, Lazarus and Our Waikiki Beach finished third and fourth in 2017 with Have Faith In Me also completing the double back in 2016.
Lochinvar Art scored a brilliant victory in Chariots two weeks ago when sitting parked throughout in 1:50.1 and then holding off Self Assured in an epic home stretch battle.
The David Moran trained and driven pacer has a personal best time of 1:48.6 taken back on January 25 at Melton.
And Newcastle Mile winner Majordan is looking to become the first pacer since Beautide (2013) to complete the Newcastle/Miracle Mile double.
The only other pacer to achieve the feat in the same year was the incomporable Westburn Grant back in 1990.
Majordan broke the Newcastle track record when successful last start in 1:50.7.
Prepared by Kevin Pizzuto and handled by Todd McCarthy, the dynamic duo are both chasing their maiden success in the event following the efforts of Tiger Tara in the past two editions.
They finished 5th last year behind Spankem while finishing 4th the year prior behind My Field Marshal.
No horse has ever won the Miracle Mile at Menangle from the outside draw.
The Ainsworth Miracle Mile is scheduled to start at 9.26pm local time.
As always, the race time will be a fascinating aspect but the race to be crowned Australian Pacing Gold Grand Circuit champion could be decided after this weekend.
Again, time will tell in so many ways.
