Harness Racing Club Ltd. Media Release

PO Box 227, Glebe, 2037 NSW Telephone: (02) 9660 3688 Fax: (02) 9660 4848 Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.haroldpark.com.au

Friday 23rd October 2009 MAXIMUM FIELD OF 8 TO REMAIN FOR SEW EURODRIVE MIRACLE MILE

The Directors of the NSW Harness Racing qualification clause which was introduced for SHORTLIST OF CONTENDERS Club have decided to retain the field size of the winner of the 2009 Cordina Chickens SEW EURODRIVE MIRACLE MILE the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile to a Sprint. SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 – maximum eight starters and two reserves. TABCORP PARK MENANGLE "This is a break from the 43-year tradition of Having met at Harold Park yesterday invitations only and yes, there may be other NSW (Thursday), the Directors resolved to leave the races which could be considered as automatic CANT BLUFF ME maximum starting field size as eight despite invitation events. CAPTAIN JOY the new home of the Miracle Mile, Tabcorp JOHNNY EL GRINGO "Close scrutiny of the results of particular KARLOO MICK Park Menangle, comfortably accommodating sprint events will need to be undertaken and a LOMBO POCKET WATCH 10 horses off the front line. review of the performance of the Cordina LONESTAR LEGEND The increased field size from six to a maximum Sprint winner before the inclusion of other MAKE ME SMILE of eight horses was introduced in 2002. races can be contemplated by the Directors," SAUCY LEGEND The primary reasons put forward by Directors Dumesny stated. VIC was that the elite status of an invitation and This aspect will be reviewed after the running BOLD CRUISER that despite an abundance of interest from of this year’s Miracle Mile. The process of BONAVISTA BAY connections to contest the Miracle Mile each reviewing the race is carried out on an annual MAFFIOSO MELPARK MAJOR year, the numbers of absolute quality basis by the Directors in order to maintain the SMOKEN UP performers invariably reduce by race time. Miracle Mile’s status as the premier Barastoc QUEENSLAND "Much of the aura of the Miracle Mile is based Grand Circuit sprint race in Australasia. BE GOOD JOHNNY on the limited number of invitations and to In the meantime, a shortlist of contenders for BLACKS A FAKE throw this open to the maximum field size on the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile has been WASHAKIE the track would not be in the best interest of released by the Club. the race," NSWHRC Chief Executive John WA There are contenders from New South Wales, IM THEMIGHTYQUINN Dumesny stated. , Queensland and Western , MYSTA MAGICAL MACH "Each year there appears to be an abundance along with a number from New Zealand. SNEAKYN DOWN UNDER of horses but traditionally the field of It must be remembered that this is just a short NZ contenders drop away. list and in no way means that a horse left off it AUCLAND REACTOR "For example, last year two champions in cannot make the Miracle Mile field, such as BONDY Auckland Reactor and Be Good Johnny had through the Cordina Sprint. Should a horse CHANGEOVER been both invited, however, due to differing that is left off the list perform strongly enough KIWI INGENUITY circumstances connections were forced to in the coming weeks, then Directors of the MONKEY KING MR FEELGOOD withdraw both horses." NSWHRC will then consider their merits for an The Directors also looked at the automatic invitation into the elite field. *All horses listed in alphabetical order SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile Sunday 29th November - Tabcorp Park Menangle NEW SOUTH WALES HARNESS RACING CLUB Contact John Dumesny Chief Executive (02) 9660 3688 for further information