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Club Menangle is excited to officially release the 2024 Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles Race Programme.

To be conducted across the first two Saturdays in March, the carnival is one of the pinnacle harness racing events on the Australasian calendar, with high-stakes racing and vibrant festivities.

Night One on Saturday, 2 March, is headlined by the Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire, Miracle Mile Sprint Qualifiers and the NSW Derby Heats. Night Two most notably features the $1 million Garrards Miracle Mile, Slingsby Holdings NSW Derby Final, Ainsworth Australian Light Horse FFA and Yabby Dam Farms Hammerhead Trotters Mile.

Club Menangle General Manager of Racing Operations David Wonson said, "This is an exciting time for our Club as we release the refreshed Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles Race Programme for 2024.

Earlier this year, we announced changes to our Feature Race Calendar, which saw Ladies Night, traditionally held as Night Two of the Carnival, moved to better suit the Fillies and Mares with the change of racing season. The Pacing For Pink Race Night will now be held on Saturday 4 May.

One key change to the Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles format was that the Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire was moved to be held on the same night as the Miracle Mile Sprint Qualifiers. This provides a level playing field for all contenders as the Chariots of Fire winner now doesn't receive an extra week leading into the $1 million Miracle Mile."

The official Race Programme for the Pacing For Pink Race Night on Saturday 4 May 2024, which features the Pryde's EasiFeed Queen Elizabeth II Mile and John Gibson Memorial NSW Oaks, will be released in the coming months. Automatic qualifying races for the Pryde's EasiFeed Queen Elizabeth II Mile, The Sibelia Stakes will be run on Saturday 20 April, and the Robin Dundee Stakes will be conducted on Saturday 27 April.

2024 Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles Race Programme

 FIRST NIGHT – SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2024

Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire of $250,000 – 1609 Metres

The Cordina Group Sprint of $100,000 – 1609 Metres

Allied Express Sprint of $100,000 – 1609 Metres

NSW Derby Heats of $20,000 + Rug - 2400 Metres

Tough Monarch Trotters FFA of $25,000 – 2300 Metres

Waratah Final of $25,000 – 1609 Metres

FFA of $20,000 – 1609 Metres

Nominations Close: 9am Monday, 26 February 2024

SECOND NIGHT - SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2024

Garrards Miracle Mile of $1,000,000 - 1609 Metres

Slingsby Holdings NSW Derby Final of $200,000 – 2400 Metres

Ainsworth Australian Light Horse FFA of $100,000 – 2400 Metres

Yabby Dam Farms Hammerhead Trotters Mile of $125,000* - 1609 Metres

Firecoat Sapling Stakes 2YO of $50,000 – 1609 Metres

Ultra Air J L Raith Memorial 3YO Fillies of $50,000 – 1609 Metres

Condell Park Produce Baby Bling Stakes of $30,000 – 1609 Metres

Bubba Gump Pest Control FFA of $25,000 – 2400 Metres

Access Group Solutions Stakes of $25,000 – 1609 Metres

Nominations for selected events Close: 9am Monday, 4 March 2024

*includes bonus of $25,000.

GARRARDS MIRACLE MILE SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2024 (MS) GRAND CIRCUIT EVENT

OF $1,000,000 + TROPHIES + RUG

Qualifying and Invitation Event. For Pacers that qualified or are invited by Club Menangle in selected events. Qualifying events include Newcastle Mile 23-2-24 (WINNER ONLY) Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire (2-3-24 WINNER ONLY), The Cordina Group Sprint and Allied Express Sprint (2-3-24 First and Second placegetters). The balance of the field will be made from horses drawn into either the Newcastle Mile, The Cordina Group Sprint, Allied Express Sprint or that competed in Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire. (If a horse is scratched from either Newcastle Mile, The Cordina Group Sprint or Allied Express Sprint and would like to still be considered for selection into the Garrards Miracle Mile, an application in writing must be tendered to Club Menangle detailing reasons why they were unable to compete in a qualifying event, and then approved by HRNSW)

Maximum 8 starters plus 2 reserves. Reserves will be selected from horses that competed in any of the Qualifying events.

THE CORDINA GROUP SPRINT, ALLIED EXPRESS SPRINT (MS) OF $100,000 + TROPHIES + RUG

For Pacers selected by the HRNSW Handicapper, in consultation with Club Menangle, from nominations received. WINNER and SECOND placegetters receive automatic invite to the Garrards Miracle Mile at Club Menangle 2024. Maximum (10) starters and two (2) reserves.

RBD 1609 Metres

CORDINA CHICKEN FARMS CHARIOTS OF FIRE (MS) OF $250,000 + TROPHIES + RUG (GROUP 1 EVENT)

For 4YO Pacers that qualified from the following races - NSW (Hondo Grattan Stakes 10-2-24 and Paleface Adios Stakes 24-2-24), Victoria (4YO Bonanza 3-2-24). The winner only will be invited from the 4YO Bonanza and must make an acceptance in writing with Club Menangle no later than 9am Monday 12-2-24. Horses which have qualified from the Hondo Grattan Stakes, or the winner from the 4YO Bonanza, cannot nominate for the Paleface Adios Stakes. The balance of the field will be selected from finishing positions in the Paleface Adios and Hondo Grattan Stakes. In the event of a ballot, this season's prizemoney will determine final position, and if the same, then fastest time from NSW qualifiers. The winner of the 2024 Cordina Chicken Farms Chariots of Fire will be invited to contest the 2024 Garrards Miracle Mile to be conducted on 9-3-24.

RBD – 1609 Metres  

SLINGSBY HOLDINGS NSW DERBY (MS) OF $200,000 + TROPHIES + RUG (GROUP 1 EVENT)

For 3YO Pacers that qualified from heats conducted at Club Menangle on 2-3-24, and the winner of the Simpson Memorial on 17-2-24. In the event of a ballot, this season's prizemoney will determine final position and if the same, then fastest time from NSW Derby qualifiers.

RBD – 2400 Metres 

YABBY DAM FARMS HAMMERHEAD TROTTERS MILE (MS) OF $100,000 + $25,000 BONUS

(GROUP 1 EVENT)

Open to all Trotters selected by the HRNSW Handicapper, in consultation with Club Menangle, from nominations received. A $25,000 bonus will be paid to the winning connections should the winner better the current Australasian Trotters record of 1.51.5 set by Maori Time.

AINSWORTH AUSTRALIAN LIGHTHORSE (MS) OF $100,000 + TROPHIES + RUG

Open to all Pacers. Preference for horses that competed in either the Newcastle Mile, The Cordina Group Sprint, Allied Express Sprint, but did not gain selection in the Garrards Miracle Mile. Selection for field will be decided by HRNSW Handicappers, with consultation from Club Menangle Racing Management.

RBD – 2400 Metres

A $25,000 race will be conducted from ballots in this event.

To view the entire 2024 Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles Race Programme, click here: https://www.clubmenangle.com.au/sky-racing-carnival-of-miracles-2024-programme/

Across both nights, our trackside DJ will provide a lively soundtrack, keeping you entertained between races. While on Night Two, explore over 50 stalls with the Aussie Night Markets, enjoy a variety of fun rides, participate in the Fashions on the Field competition and be entertained by special trackside performances.

Elevate your Sky Racing Carnival of Miracles experience with fine dining and premium racetrack views in our Miracle Mile Restaurant. Hospitality is now on sale. Book now: https://www.clubmenangle.com.au/events/sky-racing-carnival-of-miracles-2024/

Admission for night two, the Garrards Miracle Mile is free. However, you must pre-register to secure your spot via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/garrards-miracle-mile-2024-tickets-759409102067?aff=oddtdtcreator

For further information, please contact Club Menangle General Manager of Racing Operations David Wonson on (02) 4645 2200.