Extraordinary 10 days crammed with drama

WHAT an extraordinary 10 days it has been for David Moran.

At the beginning of the time frame Moran was preparing to contest the Newcastle Mile with his stable star Lochinvar Art, with the Group One doubling as a gateway into the famed Miracle Mile.

A few hours later Moran was left disappointed after discovering Lochinvar Art had cast a shoe and stood on a nail, forcing him out the Newcastle Mile.

Under Harness Racing New South Wales rules, Lochinvar Art would be unable to race for 10 days – ultimately meaning he would miss the Miracle Mile.

Moran’s spirits were then lifted when Club Menangle sought and was granted an alteration to the Miracle Mile conditions leaving the door ajar for Lochinvar Art.

Moran then set his sights on giving the son of Modern Art a public hit out to impress selectors in a bid to gain a Miracle Mile ‘wildcard’ entry.

Just 48 hours before ‘D-Day’ Moran was left gutted by the realisation he had lost his race against time as Lochinvar Art wasn’t recovering as quickly as needed.

That left Moran from having the Miracle Mile favourite to becoming a spectator.

Enter Belinda McCarthy who has returned Moran’s Miracle Mile dream by gifting him a drive in the $1million feature.

With three entries in Australasia’s premier sprint, McCarthy has booked Moran to partner Expensive Ego.

Like Lochinvar Art’s campaign last season, Expensive Ego earned a berth in the Grand Circuit event by capturing the Chariots Of Fire a fortnight ago.

Lochinvar Art secured the 2020 edition of the four-year-old major before finishing second behind King Of Swing in the Miracle Mile.

Back to defend his title, King Of Swing is also prepared by McCarthy, with Alta Orlando her third runner.

Drawn barrier four, but set to slot into three with the removal of the emergencies, Expensive Ego is the $7 second favourite with TAB Fixed Odds.

King Of Swing heads the market at $1.40 from gate six.