DAVID Moran came to Sydney planning to deny Team McCarthy tonight’s $1million Garrards Miracle Mile at Menangle — now he wants to win it for them.
Australasia’s richest harness race hasn’t panned out exactly how Victorian-based Moran hoped after he was forced to scratch his long-time favourite Lochinvar Art because of hoof trouble.
But Moran has been stabled at Belinda and Luke McCarthy’s property and got the surprising call from his frenemies to drive second favourite Expensive Ego in tonight’s great race.
“Sure, I’d love to be out there with Arty but he is actually still a a bit sore so we made the right decision pulling him out,” says Moran.
“And now I am on a really good chance thanks to Belinda and Luke and when I roll onto to the track I won’t be thinking about what could have been, I’ll be trying to win.”
Expensive Ego was driven by Luke McCarthy to win the Chariots Of Fire two weeks ago and appeals as the greatest danger to stablemate and hot favourite King Of Swing tonight, sitting close to the speed and finishing hard.
For Moran the last few weeks have opened his eyes to just why Team McCarthy is so dominant.
“What they have build on this property is incredible,” explains Moran.
“They have a jog track on an incline, as well as a straight track on an incline, water walkers, normal walkers so the horses are rock hard fit but they get that way without too much pressure being put on their legs.
“So you can see why they are so successful, it is unlike anything else I have seen.”
For all the usual pre-Miracle Mile tactics chat the reality is it will take something special to stop King Of Swing defending his title.
He has much higher gate speed than he is usually asked to show and he is likely to be in front after 400m in a race that appears to lack attackers. Even allowing for the class of the swoopers like Expensive Ego, Wolf Stride and Stylish Memphis the sectionals may play against them.
“All three of ours are exactly where they need to be but King is the clear one to beat. And I am confident he will get the lead,” says McCarthy.
The champion horseman rates Mach Shard (R5, No.3) is next best of the night while Moran can get further compensation in the $200,000 NSW Derby with Patsonthebeach (R6, No.8).
by Michael Guerin