Burrumbeet trainer Michael Stanley holds a trump card in one of Australasia’s most prized harness racing events, the $750,000 Miracle Mile in Sydney on Saturday.
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Stanley knows what it is like to be a group 1 winner, but capturing the Miracle Mile with Soho Tribeca would take him to a new height.
Soho Tribeca has had just two starts for Stanley since arriving from his West Australian base – finishing second in the AG Hunter Cup at Melton and second in the Allied Express Sprint at Menangle, where he went down by a nostril in a stunning 1:48.7 after facing the breeze.
Stanley landed the job of training the outstanding 5yo through his successful association with owner-breeder Rob Watson, who operates Soho Standardbreds.
Greg Sugars will again take the drive and is likely to again push forward and race on the pace from an awkward gate six.
Stanley also has Macey Jayde and Soho Burning Love in the group 1 $200,000 NSW Oaks after each finished second in heats. They will each have to deal with wide draws.
ANTON Golino is joining the Ballarat assault on Sydney’s biggest trots meeting of the year on Saturday night.
Golino, who was based in NSW before relocating to Cardigan with Yabby Dam Racing, sends around My Tribeca and Vincennes in the group 1 $50,000 Access Group Solutions Trotters’ Mile– a race in which he had a second with GLENFERRIE BURN last year.
The Ballarat contingent at Menangle is rounded out by 12 starters for Golino’s neighbour Emma Stewart in the group 1 $200,000 NSW Derby, group 1 $100,000 Ladyship Mile and Oaks.
BALLARAT galloper Lord Fandango continues his path towards the Sydney Cup in April at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trainer Archie Alexander has the imported German stayer racing second-up from a spell in the group 2 $200,000 Peter Young Stakes, 1800m.
Lord Fandango won the Benalla Cup and group 2 Herbert Power Stakes before a fourth in the $3m group 1 Caulfield Cup bin the spring. He resumed with a third to Gailo Chop in the Carlyon Cup, 1600 m, at Caulfield on February 10.
Lord Fandango is also nominated for the group 1 Australian Cup, 2000, at Flemington on March 10.
DARREN Weir will have a big presence at Caulfield on Saturday, including the return of Melbourne Cup runner Humidor as one of his three runners with Japanese duo Tosen Stardom and Brave Smash in the $500,000 Futurity Stakes, 1400m.
Native Soldier also gives Weir his first ever starter in the group 1 2yo classic, the $1.5m Blue Diamond Stakes, 1200m.
