Trainer-driver Grant Dixon said Leap To Fame, who won the 2024 Miracle Mile and finished second last year, had thrived so well last week that he would tackle one of the two Miracle Mile qualifiers at Menangle next Saturday evening.
“He has done so well since returning to Queensland (after a Victorian campaign) that he made the decision for us,” owner Kevin Seymour said.
“Victorian trips have put a lot of demands on him in the past so we were concerned about him getting through five races there and entering a Miracle Mile.
“But it’s the best he’s ever traveled. He’s taking off his marks and we’re going to Sydney on Tuesday.”
Despite being an all-time great player, Leap To Fame must qualify for one of only eight spots in the $1 million Miracle Mile.
He strengthened from $6 to $3.50 equal favorite when Dixon confirmed the trip to Sydney.
Others looking for a Miracle Mile berth in the qualifiers include Kingman, Swayzee, Don Hugo, Rakero Rocket, Captains Knock, Hi Managirlff and rising Kiwi pacer Pinseeker.
The first and only horse guaranteed a run is the ancient Victorian wonder Bulletproof Boy, who stormed home from last to win the $100,000 Group 2 Newcastle Mile last Friday evening.
“It’s a dream come true. It’s the race I always wanted a runner to be in. He came fourth in a qualifier and just missed out last year,” trainer Scott Ewen said.
Bulletproof Boy, an 11-year-old with 52 wins from 227 starts, has been a massive killer over the past five months with victories against Leap To Fame, Kingman and Rakero Rocket.
Victorian ace James Herbertson followed up his Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver win at Albion Park last weekend with a glorious win over Bulletproof Boy. It was his eighth win from 18 drives over the veteran.
But Herbertson was struck by a mystery illness after the win and his immediate future is in limbo.
The double Australian premiership-winning driver was taken to hospital with a suspected blood clot.
“They don’t know exactly what it is, but James is having a scan today (Sunday) to find out more,” Herbertson’s partner Ewa Justice said.
The brilliant young mare Captains Mistress stormed her way into Group 1 Chariots Of Fire and a possible Miracle Mile start with a scintillating Paleface Adios Stakes win at Menangle last night.
It was her fifth win from as many starts since moving from New Zealand to Jason Grimson’s Menangle stable.
Captains Mistress costs $1.30 for the Chariots Of Fire, where a win would earn her a golden ticket to the Miracle Mile.
Catch A Wave won the Chariots Of Fire/Miracle Mile double in 2023.
“If she wins, we’ll try the Miracle Mile. She’s something different,” Grimson said.
Grimson chases half of the Miracle Mile field with Captains Mistress, Swayzee, Rakero Rocket, Hi Managirlff and Chase A Dream all with real chances of qualifying.
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
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