Rising star to make Grand Circuit debut

RISING star Jilliby Kung Fu is poised to make his Grand Circuit debut.

Thanks to his scintillating victory in last night’s Chariots Of Fire at Tabcorp Park Menangle, Jilliby Kung Fu became the first Miracle Mile invitee.

Having until 9pm this evening to reply to the invite, connections of the Australian Pacing Gold purchase have elected to accept.

The southern hemisphere’s premier sprint is scheduled to be conducted at Menangle on February 24.

“We discussed it last night and felt this may be the only chance we get to have a Miracle Mile runner, so we’ve accepted the invitation,” trainer Marg Lee said.

“To have him in the Miracle Mile is a big thrill and something we are looking forward to.

“Knowing he is in the race, it will be business as usual and we will just follow our usual routine with him.”

Driven Marg’s reinsman-son, Jason, during his latest triumph, Jilliby Kung Fu showed blistering gate speed to lead from barrier seven as Atomic Red worked in the ‘death seat’.

Proving too slick along the home straight, the son of Four Starzzz Shark staved off a late challenge from Let It Ride to score by a metre-and-a-half, with Atomic Red fighting on gallantly to be seven metres away third.

Unbeaten from three starts this season, Jilliby Kung Fu covered the mile in 1:48.8, equalling Have Faith In Me’s 2016 race record.

“Once he got to the front, I knew he would be hard to run down,” Lee said. “It’s a long straight at Menangle though and I was looking for sweepers.

“He’s come back a lot stronger this time in and is getting better all the time.”