NEW Zealand horse Monkey King confirmed himself as the best pacer in Australasia when he smashed the Australian record in winning the $500,000 Miracle Mile (1609m) at Menangle today.
Before a solid crowd at the southwestern Sydney circuit, the New Zealand superstar flexed his muscles in what had been labelled the greatest assembly of harness flesh.
Monkey King lowered the Australasian mile record by more than a second, setting a new mark of 1min 50.08sec in a performance that gave his rivals no chance.
The previous record-holder, Smoken Up, was gallant in defeat, finishing a neck away in second place, with Dubbo pacer Karloo Mick finishing strongly for third.
"Amazing. He just gives so much when you ask him. He has an exceptional turn of foot and a great will to win," driver Ricky May said.
In winning the Miracle Mile, Monkey King becomes only the third horse to claim the New Zealand Cup, Free For All and Miracle Mile treble, joining fellow Kiwis Iraklis (1996) and Christian Cullen (1998).
Victorian hope Smoken Up worked hard to find the lead from barrier three and never got peace as he was attacked throughout.
"It is the proudest I have ever been of this horse," trainer-driver Lance Justice said despite not quite pulling off the victory.
"I was always aware of where Monkey King was and knew he would be coming. I had done a lot of work and was a sitting shot.
"My bloke was very brave and he kicked back hard, but you just can't hold off a horse like Monkey King."
Barry Lew, trainer of Karloo Mick, was ecstatic with the result and praised driver Greg Bennett for his performance.
"Getting into the field was a plus, running third is just unbelievable," Lew said. "Greg Bennett has added so much to this horse."
Australian champ Blacks A Fake went straight back from barrier eight and never got sighted to finish second last, only beating home rank outsider Lonestar Legend.
"He went roughly and almost galloped on the turn, but at that stage he was only a top-four chance at best," trainer-driver Natalie Rasmussen said.
"He was no match for the winner today."
Boom Kiwi Auckland Reactor also struggled, finishing sixth.
"I was disappointed with the last couple of hundred metres," driver Tony Herlihy said.
"He got too far back to win. He probably should have been closer in the run, but it is still no excuse."
Monkey King's trainer Brendan Hill was reluctant to confirm he would be heading back to Sydney for the $1 million Inter Dominion at Menangle Park in March next year.
Instead, he hinted he may return home in the next couple of days before targeting the Victoria Cup on December 11.
