The iconic finish of the 2001 Miracle Mile at Harold Park won by Steve Turnbull and Smooth Satin.
WINNING post still frames can often be deceiving. Especially when the barest of margins decide the result.
But even 20 years on, in an iconic image of the final moment of the 2001 Miracle Mile, there is no doubting who would be crowned as our champion on that memorable night.
It’s impossible to miss. Pure joy pouring out. The best of racing captured with the click of a button.
Steve Turnbull punching the air and saluting the big Harold Park crowd. Then came the reality. The uncertainty. A split moment that felt like an eternity for the popular reinsman and connections.
Had he won? Had his final flurry down Harold Park’s famous straight been enough? A mix of emotions quickly rushed through the Bathurst horseman’s mind as he waited to hear if he had just won the 2001 Miracle Mile with his beloved pacer Smooth Satin.
Even race caller Kevin Thompson could see there was not much between Smooth Satin and the race favourite Courage Under Fire.
“Courage Under Fire is in front, Hancock pulls the stick, Smooth Satin is wearing him down,” called Thompson.
“Courage Under Fire, Smooth Satin, Smooth Satin I think got him on the line . . . it’s close!
“I’ll give it to Smooth Satin a nose!”
As this was broadcasted, out on the track a different conversation was happening.
“I gave a big salute and Colin De Filippi turned to me and said ‘did you get it?’ and I turned to him and said I just made a horrible fool of myself if I haven’t,” Turnbull recalled.
Smooth Satin was declared the winner by a half-head, giving the then 46-year-old Turnbull the most significant win of his career.
“The Miracle Mile is harness racing’s Melbourne Cup, it doesn’t get much better than that and to win it was just unreal,” said Turnbull.
“I was there when Dad won it, I had been around in it before as a driver but not as a trainer as well and it was a big moment for me.
“At the time it was an invitational race and only the best six horses in Australasia were asked to be in it.”
Turnbull’s father, the legendary Tony Turnbull, won the 1974 Miracle Mile with Hondo Grattan.
Yet, even though 2001 was the year Turnbull had the best chance of getting a horse in the ultimate speed test with Smooth Satin quickly climbing the ranks, he thought he missed the opportunity.
“I was devastated because I thought I missed out on being invited after he was defeated in the lead-up Sprint the week before,” said Turnbull.
“I left the track that night gutted and stressed that I had done the wrong thing by the horse and lost all chance of getting into the Miracle Mile.
“By the time we were at the Toll, John Dumesny called to say we have a spot in the field if we want it.
“So we went into the Miracle Mile as a bit of an underdog but I always knew Socks would try his best, he always would.”
And despite this unfolding two decades ago, Turnbull remembers it like it was yesterday.
“I still watch the replay, especially if anybody new comes over I always make them watch Socks win the Miracle Mile,” Turnbull admitted.
For good reason too, as it is a week Turnbull will cherish forever.
“It was an exciting week and the horse was spot on leading into the race,” Turnbull recalled.
“There were security guards on him and a lot of hype.
“My bloke had such a quick sprint and I remember Ian Thorn (trainer) telling me Brian Hancock always grabs hold the second quarter, so when it came to the race I let my bloke stride up early because he is better off sitting up front than at the back of the field.
“Yulestar came around and we got some cover and the race worked out so well for us.
“There was an early burn out of the gate that took it out of some of the early leaders, all working in our favour . . . you couldn’t have scripted it better.”
Smooth Satin rated 1:56.9 to claim the then $400,000 feature defeating Courage Under Fire, Yulestar, Shakamaker, Kyms Girl and Holmes DG with five metres separating first to last.
He was the 36th horse to win the Miracle Mile and returned the following year to finish a short half-head away in second to Double Identity.
This career-defining moment feels like yesterday for Turnbull. The photo of his greatest moment in racing will ensure the memory will never be lost.
