Miracle Mile tweak leaves door ajar for Arty

A TWEAK in the Miracle Mile conditions as left the door ajar for Lochinvar Art to contest the $1million sprint.

Set to compete in tonight’s Newcastle Mile, Lochinvar Art became a late scratching after standing on a nail in a paddock this afternoon.

Under Harness Racing New South Wales rules, the David Moran-trained stallion cannot race for 10 days, which forces him out of next weekend’s Sprints at Club Menangle.

The Newcastle Mile and Club Menangle features are a gateway into the Garrards Miracle Mile on March 6.

As far as the Sprints are concerned any pacer declared in the fields is eligible for the Miracle Mile, but the same condition was not a part of the Newcastle Mile despite offering a guaranteed berth in the Grand Circuit gem to the winner.

Club Menangle sort a changing of the conditions to place the Newcastle Mile on equal status to the Sprints when it comes to Miracle Mile selection.

HHRNSW approved the alteration just moments ago.

“The conditions always allowed a horse which has been declared in the field for the Sprints to be considered for the Miracle Mile even if that horse was unable to take part in the race,” Club Menangle chief executive Bruce Christison explained.

“Now that special condition is extended to all qualifying races.

“Therefore any horse declared in fields for all Miracle Mile qualifiers can be considered if there are extenuating circumstances which led to their scratching.”

In a bid to gain a berth in Australasia’s ultimate speed test Lochinvar Art must perform satisfactorily in front of selectors and stewards at Menangle next week to be considered for a ‘wildcard’ entry.

The son of Modern Art will also be vetted before and after the workout.