New Benchmark; Noel Daley believes a sub 1.50 mile 'downunder' is just around the corner
Leading North American trainer Noel Daley believes it's only a matter of time.
The chances of the first sub 1.50 mile in Australia are shortening day-by-day and the time honoured event of the Miracle Mile would be the ideal place to set the new benchmark this weekend.
Washakie set a new southern hemisphere record of 1.50.5 last weekend when he stormed to victory to claim the $50,000 Cordina Sprint at Menangle for Luke and John McCarthy.
The previous best time was held by New Zealand pacer Monkey King when successful in the Miracle Mile last year with a time of 1.50.8.
Daley, a leading conditioner at the famed Meadowlands in New Jersey has arrived 'downunder' on a business trip but will take time out of his schedule to witness Saturday night's Gr.1 $500,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile at Menangle.
“I wouldn't miss it for the world, it will be one heck of a race.” Daley beamed.
The Queensland born Daley made the trip home last year to witness the Miracle Mile and firmly believes they could bust the 1.50 mark in this years' edition.
“It was a super competitive race last year but the talk is very good about the depth of the field this time around, it should be very interesting,”
“All horses are in outstanding form and the barrier draw has played a pivotal part to the possible outcome of the event.”
Daley likens the Menangle track to Canada's Mohawk racetrack and believes the on-pace runners might have an advantage.
“I would be surprised if the winner wasn't sitting in the top five by the half mile peg, any further back in a field like this and you would be really pushing it,”
“Alot of the bigger races back home in North America and Canada are won by horses who sit very handy to the speed, at this level you can't give away big head starts and that was confirmed last year when Blacks A Fake and Auckland Reactor didn't make an impact over the final stages.”
Daley, a close friend of Luke McCarthy believes he faces a big decision with his pupil Mr Feelgood after drawing the outside post.
“It's a bad hole, there's no question about that but I'm sure Luke has options,”
“Don't be shocked if he takes a shot from out there; because he had the speed to leave with the best of them up there before being exported, he was trained to run hard fast miles.”
The future of New South Wales harness racing hasn't been lost on Daley either with the astute mentor being an interested observer.
“The emerging sale of Harold Park will obviously lift things here in Sydney, prizemoney is critical in any racing code and they're obviously in the box seat with the sale,”
“Having a big track like Menangle is a step forward so it's hard not to be excited, only time will tell.”
Daley said it was a mixed season with his big team at Magical Acres in New Jersey.
“Our expectations at the start of the season were really high with our 3yo pacing colts but it wasn't to be in the end, All Speed Hanover, Ideal Matters and Woodstock all ended up with injuries or sickness,”
“The trotters on the other hand were solid headed up by Impressive Kemp, Broad Bahn and Cedar Dove, they both did great jobs.”
All Speed Hanover, Ideal Matters and Woodstock are expected to return to work very shortly.
And what about a tip from Daley for the Miracle Mile?
“Leave me out of that, I'm happy just to watch and learn about these pacers.”
