So six horses have now been invited to the Miracle Mile leaving two spots left in this year's eight horse field. Blacks A Fake, Monkey King, Smoken Up, Melpark Major, Auckland Reactor and Kiwi Ingenuity have all done enough to grab a berth and understandably so. The move to the spacious Menangle circuit is a huge bonus for the New Zealanders, so many have come across in the past and failed to handle the tight Harold Park track but all will feel at home this year.

Which two horses will be the last into this year's sprint feature? Obviously the horse that wins the Cordina Sprint automatically goes into the race and the barrier draw has made Friday's night interesting.

Cant Bluff Me drew off the track on Saturday night in the Newcastle Mile and basically had little chance in the event when they ran such a fast last half. He has drawn gate one this week and the barrier draw could put an end to his chances again. He doesn't possess brilliant gate speed and if he fails to hold Washakie early he may get shuffled back. He wouldn't be out his depth in the Miracle Mile but looks as though he may struggle to get into the race.

Washakie went around in the New Zealand Cup and was caught three deep for the last lap. Finished well back behind Monkey King but the margin wouldn't have been as large had he been able to get outside the leader with 1200 metres to go. Don't think he is Miracle Mile class and will need to win Friday night to get in.

Best Of Times was always a horse that I thought would win a feature race but maybe he is still 12 months off winning a race of this quality. Finished third in the Newcastle Mile on Saturday night and did a good job. He has good gate speed without being brilliant and should settle in the first half of the field. He would be out of his depth in the Miracle Mile.

Karloo Mick is back from his controversial trip to New Zealand and was a run or two short according to Barry Lew after his 6th in the Cup. If that's the case does that mean he is going to be one or two runs short here? I don't think so, he only had a light lead up preparation to the Inter Dominion this year and ran out of his skin on night one of the series in Queensland. Greg Bennett may worry a few out of the lead in the event and he may find himself in front. If that's the case he might take some beating. If he doesn't win they should invite him anyway!

Be Good Johnny is another returning back from New Zealand. His best recent run was when he finished second to stablemate Washakie. Loves Harold Park, is a fast beginner but doesn't have enough pace to shoot across all of those inside him. At his best he would have been a winning hope in the Cordina Sprint but this year he is an eachway chance at best and would be making up the numbers should he make the Miracle Mile field.

Johnny El Gringo is the horse that I would consider from leftfield should he finish down the track on Friday night. Anthony Bucca has made it quite clear that the horse is best suited at Menangle. He has a very strong record at the track and unfortunately the horse is unsound and therefore restricts the number of starts that he can be given. Ideally he would have raced at Newcastle on Saturday night but that would have meant three runs in three weeks should he qualify for the Miracle Mile. Having a horse with legs like his peak at his third run in consecutive weeks is near impossible. Bucca drove the horse for luck in the Brian Hancock Cup last time and got it. Doubt it could happen twice in succession. A rough hope on Friday but I don't think he would be out of his depth on Sunday week.

Diamonds N Furs is a brilliant miler that has been handed some poor draws of late. With the emergencies out on Friday night he will start from gate seven. Has high speed and can do it tough and was given a hope of rolling Smoken Up and Melpark Major at Kilmore recently in the Popular Alm FFA. Had he drawn well I would have had him clearly on top for this week and he would definitely handle the class of this year's Miracle Mile.

Lombo Pocket Watch has again been dealt a poor draw and his chances are all but gone before the mobile even rolls. He was brave at Newcastle but was forced to do too much work. Has lost the aura he had as a young horse and not even a win on Friday night would be enough to convince me that he is ready to take on the cream of Australasia a week later in the country's best sprint.

At this early stage I think Karloo Mick and Diamonds N Furs will be the two horses that make up the eight horse Miracle Mile field, however Cant Bluff Me and Johnny El Gringo both would be worthy entrants too.

In wrapping up this week what happened in the New Zealand Free For All last Friday was disgraceful. To see Auckland Reactor or any horse for that matter attacked in that manner only creates negative publicity for the sport. Did Philip Butcher give his horse the opportunity to finish in the best possible position? You can make your own mind up but in my opinion the drive was terrible. It will be interesting to see where the story goes from here. In such a positive time for our sport it is disappointing to be talking about negatives. Bring on the Miracle Mile and come on New South Wales, so far it's the Kiwis against the Victorians and a Queenslander, we need some representation! Catch you next week.