Leap To Fame winning a 2026 Miracle Mile Qualifier
CHAMPION pacer Leap To Fame will have to overcome the strongest $1 million Miracle Mile field in 20 years to win it for a second time at Menangle on Saturday night.
It's the Queensland great's third crack at Australasia's premier speed test, having won in 2024 and finishing a brave and close second to Don Hugo last year.
Leap To Fame will have to overcome his arch-rival and older half-brother Swayzee, who has beaten him three times, including their most recent clash in last month's Group 1 Hunter Cup.
Swayzee's trainer Jason Grimson has qualified a remarkable three of the eight runners, including brilliant young mare Captains Mistress.
She will break all sorts of records if successful, including being the first four-year-old mare to win the Miracle Mile since it was first run in 1967.
Her driver, 18-year-old Jye Coney, will become by far the youngest to drive a Miracle Mile winner. Mat Rue was 23 when he won aboard Baby Bling in 2013.
ADAM HAMILTON takes us through the star-studded field, runner-by-runner.
MIRACLE MILE
9.55pm tomorrow tonight. Menangle. 1609m.
HAMILTON SELECTS
5. Leap To Fame, 2. Swayzee, 3. Captains Mistress, 6. The Janitor
MIRACLE MILE – RUNNER BY RUNNER
1. SPEAK THE TRUTH (Qld, 2nd emergency)
2. SWAYZEE (NSW)
8yo gelding
TRAINER: Jason Grimson
DRIVER: Cam Hart
RECORD: 76-33-10-9
PRIZE MONEY: $2,444,143
BEST RUN: WON 2026 Hunter Cup
FASTEST TIME: 1min48.6sec
ODDS: $4.60
HAMILTON SAYS: One of the greatest stayers the game has seen with two NZ and Hunter Cup wins. Huge second in qualifier and ran a luckless fifth in this race last year. Chances hinge on holding the lead. Hard to beat if he does, tricky if he doesn't. Cam Hart opting to drive him is huge.
3. KINGMAN NZ (NSW)
5yo horse
TRAINER: Luke McCarthy
DRIVER: Jack Callaghan
RECORD: 41-16-7-5
PRIZE MONEY: $1,017,594
BEST RUN: WON 2025 NZ Cup
FASTEST TIME: 1min50sec
ODDS: $13
HAMILTON SAYS: The biggest query of the race. Stunning winning Victoria and NZ Cups (beating Leap To Fame in both) late last year. Mixed his form a shade this campaign and mystifyingly bad last week. Lucky to get a run, but great draw and can turn it around.
4. CAPTAINS MISTRESS NZ (NSW)
4yo mare
TRAINER: Jason Grimson
DRIVER: Jye Coney
RECORD: 24-14-5-2
PRIZE MONEY: $738,876
BEST RUN: WON 2026 Chariots Of Fire
FASTEST TIME: 1min48.9sec
ODDS: $3.40
HAMILTON SAYS: Amazing talent with six stunning wins from as many starts since coming from NZ to Jason Grimson’s stable. Arrogant against own age/sex at past couple of features. Another huge step-up, but untapped and drawn ideally. Trying to become the first 4yo mare to win the race. Huge chance.
5. LEAP TO FAME (Qld)
TRAINER-DRIVER: Grant Dixon
RECORD: 84-65-14-3
PRIZE MONEY: $5,333,234
BEST RUN: WON 2024 Miracle Mile
FASTEST TIME: 1min48.6sec
ODDS: $2.30
HAMILTON SAYS: As good as we’ve ever seen in this part of the world and reminded us again with an epic qualifier win last week. A win and second in this race the past two years. Better suited in longer races, but he’s just so good and brave he is still the one to beat because he can do what others can’t.
6. THE JANITOR NZ (Qld)
5YO gelding
TRAINER: Chantal Turpin
DRIVER: Pete McMullen
RECORD: 31-18-5-2
PRIZE MONEY: $336,577
BEST RUN: 3rd 2025 Blacks A Fake
FASTEST TIME:1min49.3sec
ODDS: $6.50
HAMILTON SAYS: Always looked like a star in the making and showed why with a barnstorming finish from a seemingly impossible position near last to win his qualifier last week. Close third to Don Hugo and Leap To Fame in Blacks A Fake in December. Still on the rise, but draw suits and will be dangerous late.
7. CHASE A DREAM NZ (NSW)
TRAINER: Jason Grimson
DRIVER: Will Rixon
RECORD: 31-12-5-2
PRIZE MONEY: $702,042
BEST RUN: 2nd (to Leap To Fame) 2025 Race by betcha
FASTEST TIME: 1min51.4sec
ODDS: $26
HAMILTON SAYS: Enigmatic former Kiwi who has looked fantastic in two runs since joining powerhouse Jason Grimson barn. Looked set to upset Leap To Fame before the champ rallied last week. Harder again, but could upset them with all the right luck.
8. BULLETPROOF BOY (Vic)
TRAINER: Scott Ewen
DRIVER: James Herbertson
RECORD: 227-52-30-23
PRIZE MONEY: $927,066
BEST RUN: WON 2026 Newcastle Mile
FASTEST TIME: 1min50.5sec
ODDS: $34
HAMILTON SAYS: Marvellous old giant-killer who boasts wins over Leap To Fame, Kingman and Rakero Rocket in recent months. Smashed the clock from last to win Newcastle Mile last time. Draw hurts and will be a mile back, but you can just never discount the old boy.
9. RAKERO ROCKET (NSW, 1st emergency)
10. DON HUGO (NSW)
TRAINER-DRIVER: Luke McCarthy
RECORD: 62-24-13-9
PRIZE MONEY: $2,567,424
BEST RUN: WON 2025 Miracle Mile
FASTEST TIME: 1min48.4sec
ODDS: $13
HAMILTON SAYS: Defending champ who was held up at a vital stage when third in qualifier. Shocking draw and trying to become first Miracle Mile winner from the extreme draw. Will need the race run upside down and plenty to go right.
PHOTO: Leap To Fame winning qualifier last week - Club Menangle/Pacepix
