An ill-fated trip to Geelong for a trial last night was the final straw for Justice, who said he was left with no choice but to spell the speedster who set a 1:51.9 Australasian mile record in the Group 1 Len Smith Mile at Menangle in June.

Smoken Up made it on to the track for the trial, but Justice scratched him before it got underway after the son of Tinted Cloud didn't feel right in his warm up.

"He's been carrying an injury for the last couple of months. It's the equivalent to a hamstring in a footballer," Justice said.

"When he's not under pressure it's really good, but once he gets under immense pressure he starts to feel it.

"We could have got away with taking him up there (for the Miracle Mile), but if you're not at your absolute best for a race like that there's no point going."

Justice knows what's required to win the Miracle Mile, having won back-to-back crowns with Sokyola in 2003/04.

The bad news for Victorian harness racing fans is that Smoken Up will also miss that state's two biggest races, the $375,000 SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup on December 20 and the $400,000 Hunter Cup on February 7.

The gelding was a narrow runner-up in both races during the 2007/08 season.

"He'll go out now and probably won't race until the middle of next year," Justice said ruefully.

"But the plus side is that he's relatively young for a (proven) Grand Circuit horse and it's not a major breakdown, it's only a strain - or a micro-tear as they call it - and unfortunately the only thing that helps it is a break."

Smoken Up heads to the spelling paddock a winner of 22 of his 45 starts for $539,000 in stakes.

Cranbourne Kick-Off ForOwnership Seminars

Western Bulldogs star Lindsay Gilbee will help Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) launch its ownership information seminars at the Cranbourne meeting tomorrow night.

The long-kicking defender is the guest speaker at the first of four seminars over the next month aimed at enticing new and prospective owners to join in the thrill and excitement of harness racing ownership.

Gilbee will describe the excitement he has received through ownership of winners such as Emm Harvey, My Bobecket and Our Langee as part of the Bulldogs Boys One Group Syndicate, which also includes Brad Johnson, Will Minson, Scott Welsh, Nathan Eagleton, Shaun Higgins, Ben Hudson and Tim Callan.

The free seminar will discuss ways to get involved in ownership, what to expect once you've made the commitment and the enjoyment of the experience, together with the social rewards and potential financial benefits.

Those in attendance will not only be delivered a wealth of information, but will also be eligible for an exclusive offer to be made available only to people attending the seminar.

All attendees will receive free admission to the race meeting, a racebook, complimentary finger food and drinks, plus the first 50 to pre-register for each seminar with HRV will receive a free $20 betting voucher to use on the night.

The first of eight races will be held at 6.25pm tomorrow with the seminar, which will take approximately one hour, to commence at 7pm.

One of the best-performed runners at Cranbourne is Singasongasixpence, who boasts Chris Tarrant, Heath Scotland, Scott West and John Barnes among his owners. He will be looking to snare an 11thwin in the Ultra Signs Pace at 9pm.

After tomorrow night's seminar, further seminars will be held at the following race meetings: Bendigo on Thursday, November 27, Ballarat on Friday, December 5 and Moonee Valley on Saturday, December 6.

Pre-registration for the chance to claim a complimentary betting voucher can be done with Rose Nadile at HRV on (03) 8378 0200 or via emailrnadile@hrv.org.au

Gilbee and his Bulldogs mates aren't the only AFL players experiencing the thrill of standardbred ownership.

Geelong premiership stars Steve Johnson and Andrew Mackie celebrated their maiden win when Mach Five scored at his fifth trip to the races at Echuca last night.

Johnson and Mackie are part of the Frothy Beer Syndicate, which also includes former Cats star Billy Brownless, involved in the ownership of the Anthony Crossland-trained three-year-old.

Brad BISHOP