Lennytheshark has become the first horse into the 2016 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile, thanks to his masterful win in Saturday night’s Victoria Cup at Melton.
Connections were delighted to accept the invitation, even though it means they cannot contest either of the traditional lead-up sprints the Coca-Cola Amatil or Cordina Chicken Farms Sprint on February 13, two weeks before the Miracle Mile.
“No problem, we’ll just come for the one race and hopefully win the one that matters,” said Lennytheshark’s trainer David Aiken, in Sydney today to inspect Menangle Park’s new Training Centre, which officially opened on Saturday.
“We’re taking 10 boxes at the Training Centre, and that’s where Lennytheshark will be stabled when he makes the trip,” Aiken said.
The remaining spots in the eight-horse Miracle Mile field are well and truly up for grabs and will be filled by horses that must contest any of the three $200,000 lead-up features at Menangle.
“The two Sprints and the Chariots of Fire will decide the rest of the field,” said NSWHRC chief executive Bruce Christison.
“The winner and the runner-up in the Coca-Cola and Cordina Chicken Farms Sprint will automatically qualify for an invitation to the Miracle Mile as will the winner of the Chariots Of Fire run the same night [February 13].
“The last two spots and the two emergencies will come from those that contested any of those three races mentioned.”
Christison confirmed a second runner from the $200,000 Form 700 Chariots of Fire could certainly be invited into the $750,000 Miracle Mile if the club’s directors felt he or she should be there.
For further information telephone NSWHRC Racing Manager David Wonson on (02) 4645 2200.
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