What a fantastic day it was at Tabcorp Park yesterday for the running of the SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile! The weather was kind and while a strong wind blew throughout the day, it was quite pleasant on course. The crowd was over 9,000 and the turnover on the Miracle Mile itself was up while the club would have been happy with a turnover of more than $2 million for the entire meeting.

Monkey King stole the show with a 1:50.8 win smashing the previous Australasian mile record by 1.1 seconds. The time was set up by Melpark Major and Smoken Up after they set a cracking pace. Here are my thoughts on each horse's performance.

Monkey King 1st – Given an absolute dream run by Ricky May. Not too many people would have dreamed that Monkey King would have had the early speed to sit 1–1 in this year's Miracle Mile. Looked the winner a long way from home and finished off strongly to record a neck victory. It has been a massive three weeks for the horse winning the New Zealand Cup, the New Zealand Free For All and now the Miracle Mile. Will be taken home and brought back for the Victoria Cup if he pulls up well. 10/10

Smoken Up 2nd – I don't think I have seen a better run in defeat. He was forced to run a 26 second quarter to find the lead and was then given no peace by Melpark Major. Amy Tubbs not only eyeballed Smoken Up but raced a neck to a half length in front. Smoken Up turned into the straight and fought his way back in front before being collared in the final 80 metres by the winner. Deserves a big race win. He has now been narrowly defeated in the Hunter and Victorian Cups and the Miracle Mile. 10/10

Karloo Mick 3rd – What a superb effort from the Dubbo Destroyer. It's been a big campaign for the nine year old. He resumed with a win at Eugowra before heading to New Zealand and winning the Ashburton Flying Stakes. He finished down the track in the New Zealand Cup but Barry Lew has since said the horse was a run or two short. He got a beautiful run on the back of Monkey King but to his credit he was probably the strongest of any of the competitors on the line. It would be great to see him win a group 1 before he is retired. 9/10

Kiwi Ingenutiy 4th – There wouldn't have been too many people who would have thought Robbie Holmes would drive Kiwi Ingenuity for speed and look to cross Lonestar Legend. Handed over to Smoken Up in the back straight and was entitled to drop off after doing so much early work but to her credit she fought on in the straight to finish 4th. Has had a tough three weeks taking on a strong NZ Cup field and now the Miracle Mile and the top line racing should help her in the future. I hope she is back next year because she will take some beating. 7/10

Melpark Major 5th – Amy Tubbs went out with a plan and after the race she said she followed the plan to the letter. In my opinion she overdid her tactics but on reflection it didn't matter what way she drove Melpark Major, he wasn't a winning hope after the barrier draw. If she had grabbed hold and raced with Smoken Up instead of attacking him, Smoken Up would have won the race. Melpark Major wasn't entitled to battle on as well as he did and did a great job to finish so close to Monkey King. He is definitely back to his best and will be in the mix in the Victoria Cup, especially if he draws to lead. 7/10

Auckland Reactor 6th – Could well be the most disappointing kiwi "superstar" that we have seen in Australia. Plenty of horses come across the Tasman with a boom on them but when Mark Purdon says "this is the best horse I have ever had" you have to sit up and take notice. When they were running fast times up front it was always going to be tough to finish off over the top of them. Tony Herlihy said after the race that Auckland Reactor was entitled to finish the race off better than he did. Most Aussie punters will be happy to see him head to North America because he has turned into a money muncher in this country. 5/10

Blacks A Fake 7th – It looked to be the best chance for Blacks A Fake to win the Miracle Mile and it will be a massive ask to see him back in 12 months time to compete in another one. Natalie Rasmussen went back at the start and basically he couldn't win after he settled behind Monkey King. He is a brilliant horse and very tough but bumped into a couple of high speed equines and the barrier put an end to his hopes. Went roughly turning for home but will still be a big player in the upcoming Grand Circuit races this season. 4/10

Lonestar Legend 8th – Blake Fitzpatrick was keen to hold the spot the behind the leader and used up plenty of petrol trying to do so. When he ended up three back after gunning out of the gate it was always going to be tough for him and in the end he looked out of his depth. I wonder if the directors of the NSWHRC had their time over again whether they would make the same decision and include him rather than Cant Bluff Me? Will now go for a break and be set for the Inter Dominion. 3/10

Congratulations to Greg Radley. His call was absolutely sensational and it was hard to believe that Greg hadn't called a harness race for 18 months before last Sunday. Well done mate.

It's a big couple of weeks for the Sydney harness racing industry. This Saturday night it's off to Bankstown for the running of the Treuer Memorial. The field should be strong and I look forward to covering the event for Sky Racing. Catch you next week.