‘ANGEL’ GETS DRAW FROM HEAVEN
Even an Australian record run by Smolda minutes later failed to take anything away from a barrier draw that will make this year’s SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile one of the most keenly-contested in the race’s history.
Former Kiwi mare Arms Of An Angel drew a gasp from the crowd and a cheer from connections when the four-year-old mare drew the coveted No 1 gate for next Sunday’s $A750,000 Group One.
That should almost guarantee this will be the fastest Miracle Mile in history as her driver Lauren Panella looks likely to lower the handlebars and make her rivals chase her all the way.
Two-time Inter Dominion champion Beautide would have given his trainer-driver James Rattray a thrill too when he drew gate four, but will come into start from gate three if and when second emergency Easy On The Eye (gate three) is withdrawn.
Current Inter Dominion champion Lennytheshark drew gate six but could come as close as gate four when the emergencies are taken out while New Zealand’s 4Y0 star Have Faith In Me won’t be harmed by drawing gate seven, as he will probably be saved for a final crack at them in the straight the final time.
Of course Smolda failed to earn an invitation after missing last week’s sprints but the Mark Purdon star still impressed with a gutsy win a few minutes after the draw, rating an Australian record over 2300m (mobile) of 1:53.7 to beat Mach Beauty and Lochinver in the $A31,800 Brian Hancock FFA.
While Rasmussen drove the winner, she must have had mixed feelings as Smolda took one-tenth of a second off the previous record set by her mighty champions Blacks A Fake.
The final draw for the $A750,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile is:
1. Arms Of An Angel
2. Monifieth
3. Easy On The Eye (2nd em)
4. Beautide
5. Lord Zin Zan (1st em)
6. Lennytheshark
7. Have Faith In Me
8. My Hard Copy
9. Blazin N Cullen
10. Bling It On.
Courtesy of Mandy Zammit,
Catering & Administration Co-ordinator,
NSWHRC