Tact McLeod heading for the front in Miracle Mile

[Wandering Eyes]

By Adam Hamilton 

Master driver Anthony Butt thinks his only real hope of winning Saturday night’s stellar $1 million Miracle Mile (11.45pm)  is to be aggressive and daring.

It is something Butt is good at and ultimately, it is the only reason he qualified emerging Kiwi pacer Tact McLeod for a start in the strongest Miracle Mile this century.

Butt blasted Tact McLeod out from a wide draw in the strongest of last Saturday night’s two qualifiers and miraculously found a spot behind the leader Merlin before being shuffled to three pegs when Swayzee took the lead midrace.

He admits he may have to do the same from barrier six against an even stronger field this week.

“The draw certainly isn’t ideal, but this horse is blazing off the gate … his first 100m is blisteringly fast while some others take a few strides to get going,” he said.

“I can’t win if I go right back, so I think I’ve got to back his speed and see if we can cross them all this week.

“Even if I get to one-off the pegs and into the running, others will come around and give me cover.

“I’m sure he’s the fastest horse off the gate in the race, but whether he can cross them all is the question.

“I’d love to find the pegs because he went great last week.”

While Butt was thrilled with Tact McLeod’s close second to Swayzee in a best-of-the-night 1min48.6sec mile last week, he was left lamenting what might have been.

“I know it’s Swayzee and he’s so hard to get past, but I think if I’d been behind the leader, instead of one spot further back and having to make up that extra ground to try and get to, I could’ve beaten him,” he said.

“I thought I had him when I dashed up to him at the 150m, but then my guy just peaked a bit on his run and Swayzee did what he does.”

Butt has been thrilled with Tact McLeod’s progress and improvement during his extended Aussie campaign.

“Mark sent him for the experience and in the hope the hard racing would improve him and that’s exactly what it’s doing,” he said.

“It’s always a bit of a gamble, some horses relish it and others struggle. He’s enjoying it and learning from it.

“Go back to the Hunter Cup and he was absolutely bolting coming to the home bend while Swayzee and Leap To Fame were flat out, but then the run came and he couldn’t take it and challenge.

“From there, you see how he has improved to really push Swayzee the other night.”

For all his excitement and optimism, Butt concedes this week is a massive challenge.

“I’d love to have drawn better, especially in a field like this,” he said.

“It takes you back to Miracle Miles where Lazarus, Lennytheshark and others raced … but there’s probably even a bit more depth now.

“It’s great to be part of it and, if we can get a spot early, especially on the pegs, I know this guy is going well enough to be there at the finish.”

Butt said he still leaned slightly to Leap To Fame as the horse to beat despite his wide draw (he will start from seven).

“He just seems to keep finding a way to win, doesn’t he?” he said. “Even though he got beaten in the Hunter Cup, his run was incredible.

“Grant (Dixon) one focus will be to settle in front of Swayzee, who will need luck now he’s set to start from the pole.”

Leap To Fame is a $2.15 favourite, ahead of Don Hugo at $3.20 and Swayzee at $5.50. Tact McLeod is at $18. 

 

View the full article