History against Miracle Mile hat-trick
UNLESS you’ve been in a cave or a coma you’ll be aware King Of Swing is aiming for a Miracle Mile record at Club Menangle on Saturday night.
Triumphant during the past two editions of Australasia’s premier sprint, King Of Swing will attempt to become the first triple winner of the Grand Circuit event since its launch in 1967.
King Of Swing earned his crack at history by securing one of last weekend’s qualifiers – Allied Express Sprint – in a blistering 1:47.9.
Not only was it the Belinda McCarthy-trained stallion’s fastest time, it was quick enough to win all but three Miracle Miles!
To be driven by McCarthy’s husband, Luke, King Of Swing’s prospects have been bolstered by drawing the pole in the $1million Garrards-sponsored feature.
As it stands, King Of Swing is one of seven Miracle Mile champions to successfully defend their title, with Westburn Grant the ground breaker in 1989 and ’90.
The ‘Magnificent Seven’ includes Chokin, Holmes D G, Sokyola, Be Good Johnny and Smoken Up.
Western Australian megastar Village Kid is the only other dual winner, having scored in 1986 and the second running in 1987.
Village Kid finished third during the initial 1986 Miracle Mile won by Master Mood.
Village Kid was issued the first invitation to the prestigious sprint in 1988, but in spectacular fashion, the invite was withdrawn by the New South Wales Harness Racing Club after the gelding’s connections refuse to “meet the conditions of the race”.
Westburn Grant was given his shot at history in 1991, ultimately finishing third behind Christopher Vance and Defoe.
While Westburn Grant missed a historic hat-trick, history was made when Chokin became the first three-year-old to contest the Miracle Mile.
After being ‘fired up’ by the occasion, Chokin over raced before crashing to the ground as the field entered the home straight.
Among the competitors again in 1992, Westburn Grant was fourth as Franco Tiger claimed the glory, with Christopher Vance and Jack Morris filling the placings.
Two years after his disastrous Miracle Mile appearance, Chokin was back to claim the rich 1609-metre major in 2:00 – only the fifth time the winner failed to break the all-important two-minute barrier.
Receiving the right to defend his title as a special trial, Chokin once again proved too good, this time in 1:56.2.
Sadly Chokin never had the chance for a third Miracle Mile, having been found dead of a suspected stroke while spelling.
Several years after the loss of the champion, legendary trainer Barry Purdon was back in the Miracle Mile winners’ circle thanks to Holmes D G, which rated 1:56.4 in 1999.
A year later the son of Holmes Hanover repeated the dose, this time in 1:54.6.
Returning in 2001, Holmes D G finished at the tail of the field as Smooth Satin reigned supreme in 1:56.9.
Among the outsiders of the 2003 line up, Sokyola dashed to the front soon after the start and was never headed on his way to a 1:54.6 victory.
The Lance Justice-trained millionaire was back in 2004, this time with Jodi Quinlan in the cart, to score from Sand Pebbles and Hexus in 1:54.9.
Like those before him, Sokyola found the task of a ‘threepeat’ beyond him, finishing fifth behind Be Good Johnny.
Trained and driven by John McCarthy, Be Good Johnny rated 1:55.9, which he lowered to 1:54.3 with his second win in 2006.
The equine influenza outbreak in 2007 resulted in the Miracle Mile being dropped, with the move costing Be Good Johnny his chance at a third crown.
SMOKEN UP
Runner-up behind Monkey King in 2009, Smoken Up went one better the following year by causing a minor upset for Justice in a race record 1:50.3.
Back to defend his title in 2011, Smoken Up stopped the clock in 1:51.8.
With a shift in date from November to April, the Miracle Mile was conducted in 2013 as Baby Bling became just the third mare to beat the ‘boys’.
Missing the race due to injury, Smoken Up was back in 2014 as a ripe 11-year-old.
Earning his position in the elite field by winning a qualifying event in 1:49.9 the week before, Smoken Up could only manage fifth as Beautide won in 1:50.2.