Monkey King's 1:50.4 sets Australasian record

The fastest mile in Australia and New Zealand harness history was made in the $500,000 SEW Eurodrive Miracle Mile at Australia's Tabcorp Park Menagle as Monkey King won in 1:50.4 over the seven-eighths mile oval. It was the first time the race was held at Menangle, having previously been held at the half-mile Harold Park track near downtown Sydney. Scroll down for the link to the video.

 

Monkey King is a gelded son of Sands A Flyin. This was his third straight major stakes victory as he won the $1 million New Zealand Trotting Cup and New Zealand Free-For-All before shipping to Australia.

 

With driver Ricky May in the sulky--a Harmer AdvantEdge imported from the US--Monkey King worked out a second-over trip while the leaders, including former Little Brown Jug elimination heat winner Lonestar Legend, zipped through opening-half fractions of :26.2 and :56.1. When Smoken Up reached the three-quarter marker the field was two abreast. In the stretch drive May tipped Monkey King out for the drive and edged Smoken Up at the wire. 

 

Smoken Up, who had held the Australasian record of 1:51.4 prior to Monkey King's effort, was second, just a neck back. Karloo Mick finished in third and Auckland Reactor, who is supposed to head to the US, was never a factor in the race and finished in sixth.

 

"He is now the best horse I've ever driven and he can just do everything," May said. "I couldn't believe it when I got the one-one (second-over) and coming to the turn I knew he'd be hard to beat."

 

Brendon Hill trains Monkey King for owner Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd. Monkey King has earned well over $1 million in his career.

 

To watch the video, click here, then click on Race 7 on Sunday, Nov. 29, at Harold Park at Menangle.