Swayzee. Photo by Club Menangle - Pacepix
IF there were any doubts we are set for one of the greatest Miracle Miles in the history of the race, today’s barrier draw at Club Menangle soon silenced those critics.
Long-time favourite for the race, defending champion Leap To Fame will need to be as good as every Queenslander says he is after drawing barrier eight for the one million dollar Garrards-sponsored Group 1.
And just to make it even more competitive, Swayzee drew barrier two and Don Hugo barrier three, ensuring this will be a race for the ages.
All three will come in one gate after the second emergency Bulletproof Boy inevitably comes out after drawing barrier one.
Connections of all three big guns would have left Menangle still feeling like they could win the race.
Indeed for a brief few minutes Don Hugo was listed as the $2.50 favourite for Saturday night’s Miracle Mile.
But the Queenslander’s ardent fans wouldn’t have that and a flood of money with the TAB saw Leap To Fame quickly firm back into favouritism shortly after the draw was posted.
Everyone expects Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod to find the front, despite drawing barrier seven. But what happens after that is anyone’s guess.
“The Miracle Mile is our pinnacle and just being in the race is such a buzz,” said Don Hugo’s owner Tony Licastro after being first pick and coming up with the perfect gate for his Inter Dominion and Eureka winner.
“We might need a touch of luck from that inside gate, but you never know,” said Swayzee’s champion reinsman Cameron Hart.
“I’d rather be drawn there than out wide.”
One man who couldn’t stop smiling was another champion horseman David Aiken, who got his stable star Max Delight into the race after a second and a fourth in two of the major qualifying races.
“I always thought he deserved a wildcard. Now we can have some fun and enjoy what is one of the great weeks in our sport,” said Aiken.
The final barrier draw is:
1. Bulletproof Boy (1em)
2. Swayzee
3. Don Hugo
4. Sooner The Bettor
5. Captain Ravishing
6. Max Delight
7. Tact McLeod
8. Leap To Fame
9. Catch A Wave
10. Sure Thing Captain (2em).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TELEPHONE CLUB MENANGLE RACING MANAGER DAVID WONSON ON 0438-398-251.
