Karloo Mick conquers Kiwis

ONE of Australia's most popular harness horses, Karloo Mick, took a giant step towards winning the New Zealand Cup following his thrilling victory in last Monday's Ashburton Flying Stakes.
The Dubbo-based star stepped cleanly for New South Wales reinsman Greg Bennett to lead early, before handing up the front to the in-form Bondy.

Waiting patiently until the passing lane came into play, Bennett and Karloo Mick made a spirited challenge just as Pembrook Benny, Changeover and Tennis Ball also staked their claims.
With the quartet virtually hitting the line locked together, Karloo Mick stuck his head out at the right time to score by a half-head from outsider Tennis Ball, with Pembrook Benny a nose away third.
Changeover was a similar margin away fourth in the 2400 metre stand, with the mile rate in 2:01.6.
It is one of the biggest wins of the nine-year-old's career to date and goes alongside his win in the Sunshine Sprint earlier this year and his placing in the Watpac Inter Dominion.
What's more, trainer Barry Lew believes the horse was only "85 per cent right" heading into Monday's event.
"There is improvement left in him," he stated.
"Greg (Bennett) said the horse was just very casual pre-race and even during the run he didn't feel like he was at his peak.
"When he put him into the sprint lane it took him a little while to get moving as it is the first time he's had to go inside horses.
"It was a great win and Ronda (Lew's, wife) and I are absolutely thrilled.
"Coming off the track, Greg commented that he believed the horse didn't feel like he did during the Queensland Inters and that he thought there was room for improvement."
Lew gave the son of Panorama a day off on Tuesday before getting him back to work yesterday (Wednesday). He said he was unsure of his next move with the gelding as he prepared him for the $1million Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Addington on November 10.
"There are a few options as to where to race next," he explained.
"We can either go to Invercargill or wait for the Cup trial and at this stage, I am probably more inclined to go for the latter.
"We'll just see how we go for the rest of the week before I plan too far ahead.
"One thing's for sure though - he will be a far fitter horse in the New Zealand Cup than he was at Ashburton."
Lew said should a positive showing come out of the New Zealand Cup and Directors of the NSW Harness Racing Club issue him with an invitation to contest the Miracle Mile, then he would bypass the Show Day Free For All three days after the Cup and head back home.
Meanwhile, in other SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile news, the Directors of the NSW Harness Racing Club have decided to retain the field size of the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile to eight starters and two reserves.
Having met at Harold Park last Thursday, the Directors resolved to leave the maximum starting field size as eight despite the new home of the Miracle Mile, Tabcorp Park Menangle, comfortably accommodating 10 horses off the front line.
The increased field size from six to a maximum of eight horses was introduced in 2002.
SHORTLIST OF CONTENDERS
SEW EURODRIVE MIRACLE MILE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - TABCORP PARK MENANGLE

NSW
CANT BLUFF ME
CAPTAIN JOY
JOHNNY EL GRINGO
KARLOO MICK
LOMBO POCKET WATCH
LONESTAR LEGEND
MAKE ME SMILE
SAUCY LEGEND

VIC
BOLD CRUISER
BONAVISTA BAY
MAFFIOSO
MELPARK MAJOR
SMOKEN UP

QUEENSLAND
BE GOOD JOHNNY
BLACKS A FAKE
WASHAKIE

WA
IM THEMIGHTYQUINN
MYSTA MAGICAL MACH
SNEAKYN DOWN UNDER

NZ
AUCKLAND REACTOR
BONDY
CHANGEOVER
KIWI INGENUITY
MONKEY KING
MR FEELGOOD

*All horses listed in alphabetical order

 

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