That’s the night I felt like I had made it…

THAT’S the night I felt like I had made it…

Reflecting on his strong connection to the Miracle Mile, Lance Justice rates his first victory in the Grand Circuit event as his greatest.

Regarded as Australasia’s ultimate speed test, the Miracle Mile boasts an honour roll of superstars like no other.

Since Robin Dundee’s 1967 record performance in the inaugural edition of the Group One it has been won by champions such as Halwes, Mount Eden, Hondo Grattan, Paleface Adios, Pure Steel, Popular Alm, Preux Chevalier, Village Kid, Our Sir Vancelot and Holmes D G.

“I remember as a kid watching stars like Paleface Adios, Pure Steel and Young Quinn winning the Miracle Mile and it was the race I wanted to win the most,” Justice said.

“I can still see the bright red Craven Filter Mobile leading the field to the starting point.

“The Miracle Mile is the race everybody wanted to win and still is.

“Even being born in Victoria and raised in South Australia and all the big races those states had, it was the Miracle Mile for me.

“The night I finally won it, that’s the night I felt like I had made it.”

Justice’s maiden success in the prestigious sprint came at Harold Park in 2003 when Sokyola upstaged his more fancied rivals.

Among the outsiders at $15, Sokyola dashed to the lead from barrier five as the hot favourite, The Falcon Strike, worked hard in the ‘death seat’.

Forced to dig deep along the home straight, Sokyola staved off a determined challenge from Jack Cade to score by a half-head, with Double Identity a short half-head away third.

“He felt enormous leading up to that night and I knew exactly what I was going to do from the draw,” Justice said.

“There was a Qantas sponsorship sign straight ahead and the plan was to go straight for that before coming across to avoid any tightening.

“Once we got the front he travelled beautifully and was able to hold them off at the finish.”

Rating 1:54.6 over 1760 metres, Sokyola’s time was only four-tenths of a second outside of Iraklis’ Miracle Mile record set in 1996.

A year later Sokyola was back to defend his title…a feat only three pacers – Westburn Grant, Chokin and Holmes D G – had managed to do successfully.

One thing was different this time.

With Justice suspended, top Victorian reinswoman Jodi Quinlan was called upon to partner the gelding.

As he did 12 months earlier Sokyola led throughout, this time from the pole, to account for Sand Pebbles and Hexus in 1:54.9.

“Obviously I was disappointed not being able to drive him, but was still thrilled to see him win another Miracle Mile,” Justice said.

“In almost 40 years of the race only five horses had won it twice and he was one of them which was amazing considering the champions which have had multiple attempts at it.”

Six years later Justice was again making his way to the Miracle Mile winners’ circle, this time with tough campaigner Smoken Up.

Runner-up to Monkey King the previous season, Smoken Up outmuscled his opposition in a race record 1:50.3.

With Justice in the cart, Smoken Up began quickly from barrier five but was unable to cross Blacks A Fake which led from gate two.

Despite doing all the bullocking in the ‘death seat’ Smoken Up called upon his seemingly endless reserves of stamina to score from Blacks A Fake and Villagem.

In 2011 Justice and Smoken Up were back to successfully defend his title as he led throughout from the pole in 1:51.8 as Karloo Mick and Im Themightquinn filled the placings.

“Smoken Up loved Menangle,” Justice said. “The 1400-metre track suited him and he just thrived on racing there.”

As for which Miracle Mile winner is his favourite?

“That’s like picking which of your kids is your favourite,” Justice said. “No parent can admit that!

“They are both enjoying retirement in a big paddock together and I swear if you listen closely you can hear them argue over which one was better

“Sokyola saying how he did it first, with Smoken Up bragging how he sat outside Blacks A Fake and asking Soky who he ever sat outside to win it!

“They’re both dual Miracle Mile winners and gave me a huge thrill in the race.”

HOOFNOTE: New Zealand horseman Barry Purdon is the only person to train two dual Miracle Mile winners – Chokin in 1993 and ’94 and Holmes D G in 1999 and 2000.

Purdon was also triumphant with Christopher Vance in 1991 to be the Miracle Mile’s most successful trainer.