Hoping for a Miracle to emerge Victorious

Boyanup reinsman Justin Prentice is praying for a helping hand from above after rising star Im Victorious drew barrier seven of eight for Saturday’s $750,000 Miracle Mile in Sydney.

Prentice and five-year-old gelding Im Victorious arrived in NSW at the start of the week and have settled in well, winning a Tuesday afternoon trial which included New Zealand heavyweight and fellow Mile hopeful Christen Me.

But the less than ideal barrier draw has put a dampener on the week, with Prentice acknowledging it will be difficult to overcome against a quality field.

“Barrier one to four we would have been really happy with but starting from barrier seven will make it really hard over the short distance of the race, so we’ll probably need a bit of luck.

“That said we will just have to have the right run, I’ll have to push him pretty hard right from the start to make up a bit of ground and get him out charging down the long home straight.”

Im Victorious has won 20 of his 28 starts with three second placings and Prentice said the rising WA superstar had pulled up well from his cross country trip.

“He’s travelled really well and has been up and about all week, which is why we decided to run him in the trial on Tuesday.

“I think he is well and truly up to the task — he is one of the youngest in the field but he doesn’t know he’s racing more experienced horses so that won’t bother him at all.”

Prentice tipped New Zealand gelding Smoken Up, who has drawn barrier 1, as the horse to beat on Saturday.

The 11-year-old has won 69 of his 133 career starts and has twice tasted success in the prestigious Miracle Mile.