Winners are grinners, driver Ricky May and Sara Famularo share the spoils of another Gr.1 victory
He came, he saw, he conquered!
New Zealand star Monkey King produced a blinding sprint to claim Australasia's signature speed test, the Gr.1 $500,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile at Menangle today.
In doing so, he created a new Australasian record of 1:50.8.
The race lived up to the hype.
With huge interest between both countries, the Trans Tasman rivalry was alive and well with everybody offering an opinion stretching from far and wide on the event.
For the first time the race had a new home, the spacious 1400m circuit at Menangle in Sydney's southwest was the venue and it's where record times were expected.
Arguably, the best ever field had been assembled in it's forty-two year history.
Monkey King, fresh from his New Zealand Cup week triumphs in the Cup itself and the Show Day FFA was handled perfectly yet again by ace Kiwi reinsman Ricky May in the one out, one back position with a scorching speed being set up front by Smoken Up.
When the mobile pulled away, there was a line of four as the field charged into the first bend, class mare Kiwi Ingenuity sat in the pocket with Monkey King poised in the trail whilst Lonestar Legend sat buried three back on the markers covered by Karloo Mick, Auckland Reactor and Blacks A Fake.
They reached the half in 55.2 with the second quarter timed in 29.4 seconds.
Coming off the back straight, the moves were being made with Blacks A Fake and Auckland Reactor starting their runs together, and both with ground to make up.
The third quarter was posted in 28.5 seconds and Smoken Up still held the lead but Monkey King was now looking ominous as he bagan to let down at the top of the home straight.
At the line, Monkey King overhauled a gallant Smoken Up with Karloo Mick charging late to pick up third prize.
The last quarter was registered in 26.7 seconds.
Winning trainer Brendan Hill was naturally delighted.
"I wish November would never end, this is absolutely unbelievable and such a huge thrill" Hill beamed.
Monkey King has now claimed all three Barastoc Grand Circuit legs during the month of November.
"He is such a neat horse, he means the world to me and I want to thank Ricky for another wonderful drive...it was perfect" Hill stated.
"Robert (Famularo) couldn't be here today but I know he is watching and he would be very proud of the horse and all the staff" Hill added.
Owner Robert Famularo didn't make the trip because of an apparent fear of flying.
For winning driver Ricky May, it was his second Miracle Mile victory after success back in 1996 aboard Iraklis.
Monkey King is a runaway leader on the Barastoc Grand Circuit leader board with 15 points.
Connections have indicated they will now return to New Zealand with their star pacer and be set for the Auckland summer carnival.
Next weekend, two further legs of the Barastoc Grand Circuit will be run with the $250,000 Fremantle Cup at Gloucester Park Friday night whilst the following night at Bankstown the $100,000 Treuer Memorial will be staged.
