Strong midweek card as Miracle Mile preparations continue

NATURALLY the main focus at Club Menangle this week is Saturday night, which stands to reason given it is the club’s biggest meeting of the year.

Headlined by the famed Miracle Mile, the program also includes the time honoured New South Wales Derby.

Australasia’s ultimate speed test, the $1million Garrards-sponsored Miracle Mile has assembled what is destined to be one of the strongest fields of the season, headlined by Leap To Fame.

Aiming to become just the third pacer to win the Inter Dominion, A G Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile, Queensland superstar Leap To Fame will have to create history during his quest after drawing barrier seven.

No winner of the prestigious event has come from wider than barrier six!

Miracle Mile preparations haven’t prevented Club Menangle from also attracting another strong midweek meeting tomorrow, with eight keenly-contested races to be staged.

A highlight of the afternoon is Miracle Mile winning horseman David Aiken continuing his return as a local.

Among New South Wales’ leading trainers – and multiple premiership winner at the club’s former home, Harold Park – Aiken moved to Victoria “a couple of decades ago”.

Recently switching back to NSW, Aiken has Twixten engaged in the third race, with the handy trotter drawn four over 2300 metres.

Boasting two wins and a pair of third from his last six starts, Twixten was a trial winner around the world class venue last week.

“He has been going along really well,” Aiken said. “He had a bit of a freshen-up in mid January while we moved locations, but has been working a treat.

“I’ve given him two trials and he won easily in quick time last week, so he’s pretty ripe and ready to go.”

Aiken also has Speedy Lover in the field, with the gelding the widest runner in the 10-horse field due to his ‘outside of the draw’ status.

“His manners can let him down, but on his best behaviour, he will be very hard to beat in this,” Aiken said.

HOOFNOTE: As it stands, only Preux Chevalier and Village Kid have won the industry’s ‘Big Three’.

Preux Chevalier captured the 1985 Inter Dominion and Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley and the Miracle Mile at Harold Park.

Village Kid’s Inter Dominion glory came at Albion Park in 1986 as well as winning the Hunter Cup at Moonee Valley and Miracle Mile at Harold Park.