Puzzling is the word I use to describe the decision to limit this year's Miracle Mile to eight runners on the spacious circuit. I'm not saying that the board of the New South Wales Racing Club need to start ten in this year's feature sprint, there may not be enough talent to start a full field, but at least have the option to utilise the big track. In recent years there have been a number of horses that would have made the field had injury not stopped their charge and fate could strike again but the depth around Australasia currently could see the strongest Miracle Mile in recent memory.

I think it's fair to say there are five horses that have already done enough to gain an invitation and if that's the case it leaves more than ten horses battling it out for the remaining three spots.

Blacks A Fake picks himself and no-one would argue with him being in the field. Natalie Rasmussen has signalled her intentions by deciding to miss the New Zealand Cup and concentrate on the big Australian race missing from the horse's record.

Auckland Reactor is another that is a guaranteed starter. After connections realised they were in strife when he failed to handle the standing starts and therefore couldn't be aimed at the New Zealand Cup, the Miracle Mile became the horse's main target.

Melpark Major finished second in last year's Miracle Mile and while he has had a few issues this season he has does enough since his heart irregularity to book a spot on the last Sunday in November.

Smoken Up is the reigning Len Smith Mile winner and is also the Australasian mile record holder after he burned around Menangle on the opening day when he won the inaugural Len Smith Mile. The NSWHRC like to support winners from their feature races and even a poor showing in New Zealand would not prevent the directors from inviting him.

The Western Australian flyer Sneakyn Down Under deserves his spot. He continues to run blistering times at Gloucester Park and while a few horses have travelled east lately and failed to fire, he should be given the opportunity to take on Australia's best. The CEO of NSWHRC John Dumesny has made it quite clear that if the horse had been fit he would have been selected last year, so if he takes out the Mount Eden Sprint this week you can use a permanent marker and ink his name into the field.

So that makes five, but there are so many other runners fighting for the final three spots. It also highlights how crucial the lead up races like the Newcastle Mile and the Cordina Sprint will be. Keeping in mind that the Newcastle Mile winner is normally invited and with the Cordina Sprint winner now guaranteed, the NSWHRC would be hoping that a bolter doesn't win either of those races and make the selection process even tougher.

If it's probables against possibles, Can't Bluff Me has to be one of the leading contenders on the possibles list. His recent form in Sydney has been first class and his run behind Blacks A Fake in the Queensland Pacing Championship was a ripper. Ian Wilson has been working on the horse's shoeing and Jim Douglass assures me the horse will be faster out the next time he draws a gate.

Lombo Pocket Watch has lost a little bit of his shine after two unplaced efforts in Queensland. The barrier draws weren't kind and he does race very well at Menangle. The Brian Hancock Cup this Friday night is going to be a vital lead up for him and he needs to get back onto the winners list. The Fitzpatrick other chance is Make Me Smile. The former NSW Derby winner has only had one run back from a spell and he wasn't asked to do too much. He will target the key lead up races but will need to win one of them to squeeze into the field.

Sky Sport Radio's New Zealand expert Stu Bailey has been tipping Kiwi Ingenuity in the Miracle Mile for six months. Stu is a very good judge and looking at her form it is very hard to ignore a mare that can post the times she can. Her workout last week against Changeover was enough to push her into NZ Cup favouritism and she must be close to gaining a start in the Miracle Mile.

Mr Feelgood is racing well below par at the moment but the mile trip should suit him ideally and he would need to only show a glimpse of his Inter Dominion form to grab a spot in the eight horse field.

The controversial Changeover was disappointing in the Miracle Mile last year but if he won the NZ Cup again it would be very hard for the NSWHRC directors to leave him out and he did finish first past the post in this year's Len Smith Mile.

Maffioso would be well thought of by the directors. As I mentioned earlier, the club does look favourably upon horses that have won their feature events and being the Chariots winner from last season he would be well up the possibles list.
The four year old's Bonavista Bay and Captain Joy are both chances to start at Menangle if they don't head to Western Australia for the Nugget because of travel difficulties. Bonavista Bay is the boom horse in Australia at the moment and the media coverage he would generate would be enough to gain him a start. Captain Joy had his colours lowered at the end of the last season and while I don't think Sue Hunter and Mick Doltoff really want to take on the older horses should planes not be available to Perth, they may be forced to consider the Miracle Mile.

Karloo Mick is racing in career best form at the moment and he wouldn't have to do very much across the Tasman to earn an invite. He proved during the Inter Dominion series that he can be competitive against the very best over the sprint distance. He very nearly falls into the probables.

As you can see there a number of horses that could easily be in the final three that make up this year's eight horse field. The racing over the next five weeks is going to be very interesting. Catch you next week.