Marshal one of world’s fastest pacers

TALENTED pacer My Field Marshal became one of the world’s fastest standardbreds with his blistering Miracle Mile triumph at Tabcorp Park Menangle just moments ago.

Upstaging a stellar field in Australasia’s premier speed test, My Field Marshal stopped the clock in a breathtaking 1:46.9.

Becoming the first standardbred in the southern hemisphere to better 1:47, the son of Art Major slashed six-tenths of a second from Have Faith In Me’s record established in the 2016 Miracle Mile.

As such, My Field Marshal registered the seventh quickest race time by a pacer anywhere around the globe.

In October 2016 Always Be Miki stopped the clock in a breathtaking 1:46 at Lexington’s Red Mile, eclipsing the all-age race record of 1:46 4/5 held by multiple horses.

Thrilled with My Field Marshal’s performance, trainer Tim Butt admitted the time took him by surprise, but not the win.

“I had him set for this race a long time ago, so for him to win is just amazing,” Butt said. “I avoided the Perth Inter Dominion, which I thought long and hard about, but felt it wasn’t suitable for him.

“Then I missed the Hunter a few weeks ago as I felt it was a risk being down there and having a gut buster.

“I’ve always looked after him and tonight it has paid off.

“I knew he was good enough to win, but I never thought they’d run such a phenomenal time.”

Driven by Butt’s brother, Anthony, My Field Marshal settled midfield as Anything For Love set a slick pace with Soho Tribeca at his wheel.

Finishing strongly along the home straight, the stallion grabbed the lead in the shadows of the post to score by a half-neck from Jilliby Kung Fu, with Soho Tribeca a half-neck away third.

“What a magnificent run,” Butt said. “From where he was during the run, I felt he’d come home strongly and he got there just in time. It was a brilliant drive from Ants.

“I’ll let him have a few days off now, then find a few more suitable races at Menangle for him.”

Having captured the Len Smith Sprint last June, My Field Marshal became the third pacer to capture the venue’s two major 1609-metre events.

Smoken Up secured both features in 2010 before returning to repeat the dose in 2011.

Beautide then followed suit when triumphant during the 2013/14 season.

Len Smith has an invaluable connection to the Miracle Mile, given he was the driving force behind the Group One’s inception in 1967 when working as the club’s chief executive when based at Harold Park.

Top 10 World Race Miles

Always B Miki 1:46

Holborn Hanover; Somebeachsomewhere; Warrawee Needy; Hes Watching; Dr J Hanover 1:46.4

My Field Marshal 1:46.9

Art Official; Won The West; Pet Rock; Shebestingin; Sweet Lou; State Treasurer; Mel Mara; Always B Miki 1:47

Cambest 1:46.1 TT