Miles' Cocora turns the corner and readies to win another for "Mum"

Family misfortune has magnified the joy of a well-performed young pacer for the Miles clan, who are hoping for a fourth win on the trot for Cocora.

Their world was momentarily turned upside down two months ago when Laurel, wife of Marty and mother to David and Leigh, suffered a stroke while at home in Monegeetta.

“We realise how very lucky we are compared to some,” David Miles said. “Mum is making a good recovery and has been home for six weeks, we can’t thank the doctors and nurses at the Royal Melbourne Hospital enough."

Laurel Miles recovery has been mirrored by the coming of age of her three-year-old filly Cocora, who has won her past three starts but is facing her toughest test yet when she takes on the boys in the Hygain 3YO Pace at Melton on Saturday night.

Miles said the daughter of Sunshine Beach had been a work in progress since making her debut at Bendigo 12 months ago.

“She was pacing roughly and it took a while to educate her,” he said.

Miles believed Cocora turned the corner after scoring the first win of her career with an impressive all-the-way success at Geelong six weeks ago.

“She is a super strong filly so we took the shackles off and let her bowl along in front at Geelong and that’s been the making of her,” he said.

Cocora has to contend with a wide front row draw at Melton.

“She has gate speed but we will play it by ear in the early stages,” he said.

“Because she is so strong, I would love to see her come off a hot speed.”

Cocora will receive an extra special cheer should she continue to build a picket fence of wins on Saturday night.

“Yes, I reckon Mum will be well enough to attend at Melton,” he said.