MIRACLES OF LIFE
Pint-sized South Australian filly Miracles of Life returns to the scene of her most famous victory on Saturday when she contests the Group 3 H.D.F McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Miracles of Life famously stretched her unbeaten record to four by winning last season’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes by 1½ lengths, courtesy of a faultless ride from unheralded jockey Lauren Stojakovic.
Stojakovic takes the reins again on Saturday and she was aboard the daughter of Not a Single Doubt in a 1000-metre Morphettville trial on August 12. She won the hitout against some quality South Australian three-year-olds by 6½ lengths, demonstrating she has lost none of her brilliance.
Miracles of Life will jump from barrier eight of nine and from that position Stojakovic will have the task of either finding cover in a midfield position, or pressing on to find the lead.
If able to achieve either without doing too much work, Miracles of Life can be expected to sprint quicker than any of her rivals and therefore extend her winning sequence to five.
PRINCE HARADA
Tony Vasil knows when he puts the saddle on a very good horse. And he hasn’t been backward in coming forward when talking about his next very good horse, Prince Harada, who lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 McNeil Stakes.
A son of Vasil’s former multiple Group 1 winner Haradasun, this big, strong-looking colt has been compared to that Doncaster-winning three-year-old and so far he hasn’t let people down.
Two starts for two wins is how Prince Harada’s record currently reads, and although it can be argued that he has beaten “nothing”, the manner of both of his wins has been stamped with class.
The way he rounded up his rivals off a slow tempo to win at Moonee Valley at his second start was impressive, and although the 1200m of Saturday’s race might well prove to be a bit short, he can be expected to wind up strongly and launch at the leaders over the final furlong.
If he wins the McNeil Stakes on Saturday, the already equal favourite along with Cauthen for the Caulfield Guineas will take sole ownership of that tag.
– Racing Network
