He’s won the race before with the great Lennytheshark and now Chris Alford is eyeing more Miracle Mile success.
Alford combined with David Aiken’s star to win the feature in 2017 and will partner up with Belinda McCarthy-trained Alta Orlando in this Saturday night’s $1million renewal.
The champion reinsman was in the sulky behind Alta Orlando when he ran second in the Del-Re National A.G. Hunter Cup last month and expects another forward showing in the 1609m dash.
“I think he’s a good top three chance,” Alford said.
“I think he will go really well.”
Alta Orlando ran second in the Allied Express Logistics Sprint behind Wolf Stride last weekend to secure his place in the Miracle Mile.
Alford said it was a special race on the Australian calendar and it’s one he’d no doubt love to win for a second time.
“It’s probably just behind the Inter Dominion. I think the Inter Dominion is the ultimate,” Alford said.
“It was always an invitation, which has changed a bit now. It was hard enough to get a run in it, let alone win it.
“It’s just one of those races that everyone wants to be in and win.”
David Moran had expected to be driving his horse Lochinvar Art in the Miracle Mile, but will take the reins of fellow McCarthy runner Expensive Ego, who was a brilliant winner of the Chariots of Fire last weekend.
Lochinvar Art had to be withdrawn from chasing a spot in the race last week due to a hoof injury.
Fellow Victorian drivers Greg Sugars (Clayton Tonkin-trained Out To Play) and Anthony Butt (his horse Wolf Stride) also have runners in the race.
The Miracle Mile is one of four Group 1s on the Tabcorp Park Menangle card, which includes the NSW Derby, a $100,000 free-for-all and the Trotters Mile.
