Fitzpatrick finished second behind the Brian Hancock trained Sand Pebbles in 2004 but admits it would be special if he could win the race driving for his father, trainer Paul Fitzpatrick.

"Brian Hancock gave me a great kick start by putting me on horses in feature races when I was only young and I got to drive in the Miracle Mile on Selby Bromac and Sand Pebbles" Fitzpatrick said.

"But without a doubt it would be a massive thrill if I could win the race on Sunday driving for dad."

Fitzpatrick believes the decision by the New South Wales Harness Racing Club to move the race to Menangle could be a distinct advantage for the local drivers with their experience on the track a major boost.

"It is quite different from driving on any other track and it took everyone a while to work out how to drive it. We have the added bonus of being only 20 minutes from Menangle while all the other runners will be forced to travel in the lead up so that could play into our hands as well."

While Fitzpatrick is adamant Lonestar Legend has the speed to lead the Miracle Mile should he desire, he still hasn't made up his mind on whether he will drive the former American pacer for speed or look for some early cover.

"Drawing one boosted his chances. The race is still a few days away and I haven't really sat down and analysed all of the horses just yet but I think I would be able to hold them if I wanted to lead."

"There looks to be a lot of early speed with Kiwi Ingenuity drawn outside me and Smoken Up in three so tactics will be vital in the early stages."

Lonestar Legend had his final hit-out on Wednesday and the work was pleasing.

"Dad hadn't done a lot with him since he finished second in the Newcastle Mile behind Saucy Legend and the weather was pretty warm last week too so he wasn't knocked around. His work earlier today was strong and it should have him fully wound up for Sunday."

While some were surprised by Lonestar Legend's inclusion in the Miracle Mile after being beaten in the Newcastle Mile less than a fortnight ago, Fitzpatrick thinks the run was the best in the race and he deserved his spot.

"This week is a big step up but his effort at Newcastle was the run of the race."

"With the false start he got extremely fired up and I couldn't have held him even if I had wanted to when the gate pulled away. Lonestar Legend had crossed them by the time we travelled 50 or 60 metres and he never really backed off the entire way."

Fitzpatrick will also drive the horse that defeated Lonestar Legend in the Newcastle Mile this Sunday with Saucy Legend set to compete in the Bohemia Crystal Free For All. Connections turned down an invitation for the Miracle Mile and Fitzpatrick believes they made the right decision.

"Saucy Legend is flying at the moment and it's all happening so quickly for him at the moment. He went through his grades so fast and after dad freshened him up he came back even better."

"The Bohemia Crystal should suit the horse and while he has drawn poorly he loves to follow speed so if there is some pace on he will take some beating. After Sunday he will probably head towards the Treuer Memorial at Bankstown before being set for the Inter Dominion."

There are nine races at Menangle on Sunday. The meeting is scheduled to get underway at 1:04pm with the seventh event, the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile due to start at 4:40pm.

Cuttheattitude back from the brink

Dual group 1 winner Cuttheattitude was given only a ten percent chance of surviving by vets after he fell ill with colitis while competing in Victoria's Breeders Crown series and trainer Felicity Gallagher still can't believe the three year old will be back in work from December 1.

Cuttheattiude has banked more than $300,000 after victories in the Australian Pacing Gold and the NSW Breeders Challenge and Gallagher can't wait to see her stable star back.

"I am still pinching myself considering what the vets had to say about him surviving" Gallagher said.

"He has put on 80 kilograms since he was at his worst and he is now weighing over 500 kilograms so we have decided to put him back into work next month."

Gallagher is unsure of when she expects the son of Modern Art to return to the races.

"I will let him tell us when he is ready to race but our normal program for a horse that has had more than a month off is to give him three months work before looking for a race."

"He just looks so well at the moment. He is big and fat and his coat is like glass. "

Last year's crop of two year old colts and geldings were a stellar group including For A Reason, Chariot King, Lanercost and Two Eye See and Gallagher is unsure of what to expect when he resumes.

"At this stage I just want to bring him back and see what he does without any huge expectations on him. He has come through a lot and to still be alive is a big win."

"The vet who operated on him expected us to be back in contact with her within three days of the operation because of complications and when she didn't hear from us she thought the horse must have died but he's a real fighter on and off the racetrack."

Alison ZAMMIT