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Miracle Mile night - full card preview

A brilliant night of pacing and trotting at Menangle on Saturday, with an Oaks, a Derby, quality juvenile races, a Free-For-All, a trot featuring an international vistor and of course the headline act, the Miracle Mile.

Covering the whole card is racecalling prodigy Luke Humphreys, @WorldRacingLuke.

Prices are all from TAB at time of writing, unless stated.

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Lexus of Macarthur Lady Drivers Invitational
LR, 1609m, $25,000, Mobile, MO
Race 1 Menangle 1817 AEST, 0717 BST


1 Taurisi (3/1): Tasmanian that has been winning impressively down there. Two starts on the mainland and has drawn the outside fence each time. Complete opposite here and will be hoping to make the most of it.

2 Rave Moonraker (11/1): Definitely consistent and has been a bit unlucky of late as his had the misfortune of not finding the peg line, and running into better horses than him, but still running very respectfully. Brave again in the heat two weeks ago, and should get an economical run, each-way chance.

3 Kenrick (3/1): Game third in the heat two weeks ago, should be a good chance, from a much better draw.

4 Stanley Ross Robyn (7/1): Another one that has been running consistently, came off the peg line and let the rank outsider through to win the heat last time. Place.

5 Redbelly Jack (EMG2):

6 Valaroso Hanover (EMG1):

7 Sir Major Stride (50/1): Broke through for a deserved win last time at huge odds, overs. Was an interesting drive the start before to say the very least. Again overs at 50/1.

8 Lovin Miss Daisy (20/1): Ran home for second in her heat. Was far from a bad run under the circumstances last time at Newcastle. Second stringer from the two runners from the stable, doesn’t mean it can’t run well but.

9 Our Wall Street Wolf (13/1): Racing well enough, but I would’ve thought will be struggling from this gate.

10 Big Bang Leonard (16/1): Victorian that led all the way in the heat. Is consistent in good form, at these odds is a good each-way bet, should be blasting across from this gate I would’ve thought.

11 Goodtime Slater (50/1): MO winner four back at 25/1. Did nothing two starts back but followed the favourite for this last time and was a distant second. Best chance is to do something similar.

12 Mrs Browns Boy (11/4): In great form at the present time, still favourite despite drawing the outside which means there is obvious confidence. Winner of all of its starts in this country bar one.

Ratings: (12) MRS BROWNS BOY - (10) BIG BANG LEONARD - (1) TAURISI - (2) RAVE MOONRAKER - (3) KENRICK - (7) SIR MAJOR STRIDE - (11) GOODTIME SLATER - (4) STANLEY ROSS ROBYN - (9) OUR WALL STREET WOLF - (8) LOVIN MISS DAISY

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Access Group Solutions Trotters Mile
G1, 1609m, $50,000, Mobile
Race 2 Menangle 1850 AEST, 0750 BST


1 Daryl Boko (10/11): Finnish trotter prepared in New Zealand, that has won both runs at this track this preparation. Draws gate one, wouldn’t quite be taking odds-on though. But gets every chance surely.

2 War Dan Destroyer (20/1): One of the better trotters in Sydney on recent form, easily winning a couple of handicaps of late. Third to Daryl Boko and On Thunder Road last time, place.

3 On Thunder Road (3/1): One of the best trotters around at his best, however racing very inconsistently currently, and it seems nowhere near his absolute best. Can’t be ruled out however.

4 Maori Time (11/2): To say the very least it’s very short odds for a horse that’s racing nowhere near her best. On the plus side has won the G1 Bill Collins over the sprint trip three times.

5 Rompers Monarchy (70/1): Not a bad horse, but outclassed completely.

6 Iona Grinner (70/1): Another decent horse that is also outclassed.

7 My Tribeca (8/1): One of the most underrated trotters around, has been brilliant of late, often with no luck. Good overs.

8 Michael Thomas (EMG2):

9 Kyvalley Blur (9/2): Been a great old campaigner over the years. Coming off a G1 win at Melton in the Dullard Cup.

10 Shetland (EMG1):

11 Blazing Under Fire (30/1): Another decent local that is outclassed but not the worst.

12 Vincennes (10/1): Very much a decent trotter, but has drawn poorly here. Likely to go forward however.

Ratings: (7) MY TRIBECA - (9) KYVALLEY BLUR - (12) VINCENNES - (1) DARYL BOKO - (3) ON THUNDER ROAD - (2) WAR DAN DESTROYER - (4) MAORI TIME - (11) BLAZING UNDER FIRE - (5) ROMPERS MONARCHY - (6) IONA GRINNER

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John Gibson Memorial New South Wales Oaks
G1, 2400m, $200,000, Mobile
Race 3 Menangle 1917 AEST, 0817 BST


1 Redbank Addi (EMG1):

2 Imprincessgemma (11/4): Has always been a really nice filly. Won on debut for the stable last time, should get every chance from the draw. Bit lucky to win her heat, Chris Alford has gone against her with his choice of drive.

3 Ideal Pleasure (20/1): Hit the line well enough in the heat and is 70/1 into 20/1. Definite place chance.

4 Fame Assured (7/2): Queenslander that is going for six from six this preparation. Impressive enough when winning the heat, got out of trouble to win in top style before that. Top prospect.

5 Shez All Rock (8/1): Has showed top tier ability from debut. Was given every possible to win her heat. One of the key chances, but probably needs a couple of things to go right, like last week. Can sustain a turn of foot.

6 War Dan Bad Girl (30/1): Big run last week, deserves to be a lot shorter on that. Only won the two races but really taken by the heat run, after doing a lot of work.

7 My Sweetchilliphilly (30/1): Winner of her first eight but beaten last three. Others may have gone past her. Was game last week.

8 Nostra Villa (2/1): Arguably the best 3YO filly in the country. Breeders Crown, Vicbred and Edgar Tatlow winner, unlucky not to be undefeated.

9 Callmequeenbee (50/1): Didn’t deserve to go off favourite in her heat last week and was only fourth. Nice filly, but no chance.

10 Macey Jayde (13/1): Had won four in a row, up to G3 level, before galloping in the Raith Memorial. Tough effort to finish second to Fame Assured last week, really nice filly but the draw hurts her and the more fancied stablemate.

11 Soho Burning Love (9/2): Stablemate of Macey Jayde that draws the outside. Really exciting filly, that should’ve won her heat. Will need luck from the draw but can still won due to her brilliant ability. At her best when in front, unlikely to be there. Might even be the best horse in the race.

12 Prophesy (EMG2):

Ratings: (8) NOSTRA VILLA - (6) WAR DAN BAD GIRL - (11) SOHO BURNING LOVE - (4) FAME ASSURED - (2) IMPRINCESSGEMMA - (5) SHEZ ALL ROCK - (10) MACEY JAYDE - (3) IDEAL PLEASURE - (7) MY SWEETCHILLIPHILLY - (9) CALLMEQUEENBEE

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Macarthur Square Ladyship Mile
G1, 1609m, $200,000, Mobile
Race 4 Menangle 1945 AEST, 0845 BST


1 Rocker Band (17/2): Good mare, but not racing as well as she can at the moment. But the barrier draw definitely helps her chances.

2 Ameretto (10/11): How many mares get into the finish of the Victoria and Hunter Cups, let along both in the one season? Not many is the answer, this bulldog finished second in the Vic and flew home for fifth in the Hunter. One of the more underrated mares of the past decade or so, should be leading and will be extremely hard to get past. Only thing is she hasn’t won since late November.

3 Partyon (SCR)

4 Our Golden Goddess (5/2): Going for seven in a row. Beat similar competition in the Melbourne equivalent of this race. Drawn worse than her stablemate this time however. Has been aided by very good barrier draws.

5 Ima Mystery Girl (100/1): Tamworth Cup winner three back. However not up to this. Dropped out last week.

6 Carlas Pixel (13/2): Won one of the last of the trial races last week over Ameretto after leading, unlikely to be in that position here. Either way is consistent, and in good form.

7 Miss Riviera Belle (50/1): Third to Delishka and A Piccadilly Princess last time, drawn ordinary here though.

8 My Rona Gold (20/1): Outclassed in this grade during the summer in Perth. 1:50.7 winner two back, Fourth in a trial race last time. Unlikely to lead, and not up to this level.

9 A Piccadilly Princess (8/1): Won this last year and has also won a Victorian Oaks but seems to be the unlucky horse rather often. Had no luck in the WA Mares Classic for the second consecutive year on Inter night, same in the Victorian equivalent of this. Second last time in a trial race two weeks ago. Not racing at her absolute A Game at the moment but still a chance.

10 Berisari (EMG2):

11 Delishka (12/1): Kiwi that is two for two over the C&D. But surely finds a couple too good for her from this draw. Had the perfect run last time.

12 Shakahari (80/1): Very consistent mare that rarely runs poorly. Deserves her chance in this line-up but the barrier draw has wrecked her.

Ratings: (2) AMERETTO - (4) OUR GOLDEN GODDESS - (1) ROCKER BAND - (6) CARLAS PIXEL - (9) A PICCADILLY PRINCESS - (11) DELISHKA - (8) MY RONA GOLD - (12) SHAKAHARI - (7) MISS RIVIERA BELLE - (5) IMA MYSTERY GIRL

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Australian Pacing Gold New South Wales Derby
G1, 2400m, $200,000, Mobile
Race 5 Menangle 2020 AEST, 0920 BST


1 Colt Thirty One (Evens): Already the winner of the Victorian Derby (flying late down the outside off a hot pace) and should get every chance to add this classic.

2 Major Times (15/2): Another very good horse, but a couple of lengths off the absolute elite. Draws very nicely so should be in the placings.

3 Divine State (EMG1):

4 Poster Boy (5/2): Top quality conveyance. Unlucky not to win his local Derby when just having to commit 50m too early. Gets a chance for revenge on the Queensland horse here.

5 Maraetai (13/2): Improving 3YO that could end up being right there with the best around. Heat winner. However Chris Alford has disobeyed him

6 Higherthananeagle (10/1): Hasn’t quite lived up to the early hype. Impressive LR winner at Cobram two back. Third in his heat, but he looked like his stablemate, Lennytheshark, in the straight, as he was all over the place.

7 All U Need Is Faith (EMG2):

8 The Black Prince (50/1): Only local runner is arguably no chance. G3 second three back.

9 Code Bailey (40/1): Top class 3YO from Terang, unlucky in the Vic Derby, second here last week. Drawn towards the outer however.

10 Tam Major (100/1): Fifth in the Breeders Crown last year. No chance from the draw.

11 The Devils Own (20/1): Kiwi that has finished third in all three Aussie runs.

12 Little Peanut (40/1): Good second last week after an impressive Melton trials win, called him. Definitely not a 40/1 chance on ability, but the draw does hurt.

Ratings: (4) POSTER BOY - (1) COLT THIRTY ONE - (5) MARAETAI - (12) LITTLE PEANUT - (11) THE DEVILS OWN - (2) MAJOR TIMES - (9) CODE BAILEY - (6) HIGHERTHANANEAGLE - (10) TAM MAJOR - (8) THE BLACK PRINCE

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Bohemia Crystal Free For All
G1, 2400m, $100,000, Mobile
Race 6 Menangle 2047 AEST, 0947 BST


1 Franco Nelson (1/2): Has been racing somewhere near his old self again since coming to NSW. However twos-on is very short, despite the draw. Got home strongly in a Miracle Mile trial last week.

2 Aztec Bromac (10/1): G2 winner of the Queensland Cup at Albion Park in December. Last in a Miracle Mile heat last week, in saying that had no luck.

3 My Alpha Rock (7/2): Has grown a leg since coming from New Zealand. Steps up to 2400m but is absolutely flying.

4 Let It Ride (EMG2):

5 Yayas Hot Spot (50/1): Not going as well as he was since running second in the Hunter Cup 12 months ago.

6 Monifieth (40/1): Actually beat Anything For Love a couple of starts back. 40/1 surely overs.

7 Mach Doro (25/1): Fifth at G1 level last week. Galloped in the score-up in this 12 months ago. Can show faster gate speed than anything if he wants.

8 Atomic Red (20/1): Only a 4YO but was third in the Chariots of Fire, with a flat tyre, and then ran sixth in a MM heat last week. Has run 1:50.3 in a Chariots trial and second to Vincent in 1:50.2.

9 San Carlo (13/1): Good odds considering he was one of the chances for Inter Dominion and Hunter Cup, and had no luck in either. Not sure he quite enjoyed the one mile dash last week, only the third time he has ever run over a sprint trip in his life and the first time at the elite. One of the chances.

10 Moonrock (16/1): Ran one of the fastest last miles in the Hunter Cup. Fourth last week, however is one from the outside here.

11 Crockets Cullen (EMG1):

12 My General Lee (100/1): Deserves his 100/1 quote from this draw. Can’t buy a good draw at the present time.

Ratings: (3) MY ALPHA ROCK - (9) SAN CARLO - (8) ATOMIC RED - (6) MONIFIETH - (2) AZTEC BROMAC - (10) MOONROCK - (1) FRANCO NELSON - (7) MACH DORO - (5) YAYAS HOT SPOT - (12) MY GENERAL LEE

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Ainsworth Miracle Mile
G1, 1609m, $750,000, Mobile
Race 7 Menangle 2132 AEST, 1032 BST

Formguide(Best Odds available at time of publication shown)

1 Tiger Tara (5/1): Was a 10 length NZ Cup second to Lazarus. Also the winner of the 2013 NZ 3YO Sires and 2014 G1 Northern Derby and 2015 NZ FFA winner. First Aussie G1 came in one of the trials for this last week after grabbing the lead. Couldn’t have asked for a better draw and is one of the toughest horses in training.

2 Atomic Red (EMG2):

3 Anything For Love (10/1): Has improved miles. One of the trial winners last week in 1:48.7, stable only knows one way so will be going hard to lead.

4 My Field Marshal (15/2): Got to the line brilliantly last week. With the luck he is one of the best horses around. Deserves his place in the field.

5 Jilliby Kung Fu (13/1): Super Victorian 4YO that unlike everything else has had two weeks off. Had no right to win the Chariots of Fire, nor the equivalent of that race in Victoria before that. Could be a popular victory for Terang. Been absolutely extraordinary the last two times.

6 Soho Tribeca (5/2): Ran a great second in the Hunter Cup and went down fighting to an old rival last week. Always been a top class conveyance and as long as last week’s run has taken nothing away from him he is a huge chance.

7 Lennytheshark (33/1): Just seems to be racing inconsistently this season. Went so well three back at Melton and also in the Victoria Cup etc but it seems as if when he can’t find the pegs this campaign he spits the dummy. Huge win in this 12 months ago but racing nowhere near that at the present time.

8 Charlaval (300/1): Local that ran third at big odds last week. G2 winner over Bling It On on Boxing Day but no chance.

9 Let It Ride (EMG1):

10 Lazarus (9/4): No horse has ever won this race after drawing gate seven or wider. I’m not sure the “mighty Lazarus” can even break that feat. In saying that his runs in the Fremantle Cup and Hunter Cup we’re extraordinary, but under similar circumstances could only finish third last week, in saying that looked as if he’d run last on the turn. Trainer Mark Purdon warned of a virus which had gone through the stable - is he over it now or will last week's gutbuster empty him out even further? He is an out & out champion and can definitely win. I won’t be writing him off too much. What interests me is Natalie Rasmussen has never driven him before but will drive him for the first time in this race. Weird and strange move in my opinion. (ED. - she has driven the two fastest miles in Australasian history, a change in tactics)

Ratings: (5) JILLIBY KUNG FU - (10) LAZARUS - (6) SOHO TRIBECA - (1) TIGER TARA - (3) ANYTHING FOR LOVE - (4) MY FIELD MARSHAL - (6) LENNYTHESHARK - (8) CHARLAVAL

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Slingsby Holdings Sapling Stakes
G3, 1609m, $30,600, Mobile
Race 8 Menangle 2207 AEST, 1107 BST


1 Petes Big Jim (40/1): Won on debut comfortably at Leeton before galloping in the Final of the Leeton Breeders Plate and dropping right out. third here last time.

2 Major Roll (2/1): Two from two down at Leeton in their feature race. Gets every chance here.

3 Tsunami Charlie (50/1): Debutante by Shoobees Place prepared by Brian Portelli. Two wins from three starts at the trials, both wins at Penrith in slow time.

4 Courageous Dancer (40/1): Second on debut at Newcastle, not classy enough.

5 Muscle Factory (3/1): Won over C&D on debut in good style, looks a half decent prospect.

6 Platinum Revolution (2/1): Won on debut as a fours on chance at Penrith. Stable usually wins these types of races.

7 Bettor Sport (70/1): Two runs at Bathurst for a fourth and a win.

8 Uncle Jord (25/1): Was able to get out of trouble on debut and win cosily at Bathurst.

9 Collage Chapel (11/2): Beaten favourite on debut over C&D. Drawn the outside.

10 Soho Thunderstruck (SCR):

Ratings: (6) PLATINUM REVOLUTION - (2) MAJOR ROLL - (5) MUSCLE FACTORY - (9) COLLAGE CHAPEL - (1) PETES BIG JIM - (8) UNCLE JORD - (4) COURAGEOUS DANCER - (7) BETTOR SPORT - (3) TSUNAMI CHARLIE

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Jimani Clothing Stakes
LR, 2400m, $25,500, Mobile
Race 9 Menangle 1037 AEST, 1137 BST


1 Outrageous El (EMG2):

2 Eh Ef El (7/1): Good horse but hasn’t won for a little while. Draws well here.

3 Saloon Passage (13/1): Been consistent in country cups winning at Temora and Orange.

4 Celestial Arden (33/1): Winner of its last two here over both trips. Second up here. Not the worst at 33/1. Needs a soft run on the pegs.

5 Crockets Cullen (9/2): Finished in the placings in top quality FFAs the last couple of times. Should be in the finish again, just has the misfortune of running into another good one.

6 Whittaker (13/1): G3 winner of a Chariots trial a couple back then fourth in the Chariots, so on that form should obviously be up there.

7 Let It Ride (1/2): Had no luck in the Chariots trial before a second in the big G1 itself. Been a big fan of this horse for a while and is clearly the one to beat.

8 Blazin N Cullen (40/1): Former Inter Dominion fourth. Dropped out last week though which is unlike him.

9 Lombo Kotakinabalu (50/1): Fourth to My Alpha Rock here last week, drawn wide but and not really suited to this classic trip.

10 Spare Me Days (40/1): Good horse. 40/1 seems big overs. Was huge in the Goulburn Cup and behind Anything For Love.

11 Mach Beauty (100/1): Competed in a Miracle Mile once upon a time. Nowhere near the horse he once was and is no chance.

12 Ima Mystery Girl (SCR):

Ratings: (7) LET IT RIDE - (5) CROCKETS CULLEN - (6) WHITTAKER - (10) SPARE ME DAYS - (2) EH EF EL - (3) SALOON PASSAGE - (9) LOMBO KOTAKINABALU - (8) BLAZIN N CULLEN - (11) MACH BEAUTY - (4) CELESTIAL ARDEN


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