Racing: Foreal clashes with Aussie speedsters

Anthony Butt received the best possible view of Western Australian speed merchant Lookslikelightning at Harold Park, Sydney, on Friday night.

The Canterbury horseman drove the Geoff Small-trained Winforu in the $40,000 Cordina Quicken Chicken Sprint and the pair followed the front-running winner throughout, but dropped out in the home stretch.

"I heard before the race that Lookslikelightning was really quick from the mobile gate, but I had to look twice at the start, because he crossed the field in around five strides from barrier eight to lead," said a shocked Butt.

"We were flat out holding up from barrier one and we scrambled to get into the trail, but the winner was flying in front throughout.

"Winforu just struggled to pace evenly around the tight track at Harold Park. He had problems negotiating the corners and we seemed to lose ground on everyone."

Lookslikelightning powered over the 1760 metres in a blistering 2:05.4 (mile rate 1:54.7) with closing 800m and 400m sectionals of 57.3 seconds and 29.1 seconds.

If the 7-year-old can be produced in a similar mood next Friday night he will prove a real handful to catch in the A$500,000 Miracle Mile.

One factor is for certain - the opening 400m of the feature will be run at a suicidal pace, with Lookslikelightning and dual Miracle Mile winner Sokyola engaging in a furious front-running war.

Butt gained some worthwhile compensation in the following event when he drove Foreal, trained by his brother Tim, to post an impressive victory in the A$100,000 Ladyship Mile, which also clinched her a start in the Miracle Mile.

Foreal was given a dream sit by Butt, working off the pylons during the early stages of the race to settle in the middle of the field.

The 4-year-old mare sprinted forward four wide to challenge the leader with 600m remaining and scored by nine metres over Queen Carey and Sheezamountgirl.

The 1760m was run in 2:06.6 (MR 1:55.8) with closing 800m and 400m sectionals of 58 and 29.3 seconds.

"It was a good effort, because when we worked four wide around the field it was during the fastest 400m of the race and she ran it out well at the finish," Butt said.

"It's going to be a massive jump in class, because we'll be going from competing against fillies and mares to taking on the best of the best, but she deserves the opportunity.

"She will have to be at the top of her game to chase a horse like Lookslikelightning, but if the speed is on all the way I know she'll run a mighty race.

"All I can hope for is Lookslikelightning, Sokyola and It Is I to really get into a speed war in front, because that'll set it up for the runners sitting just off the speed.

"I drove Mister D G to finish fourth in the Miracle Mile last year and if they let the leaders have an easy time in front it's impossible to make ground, because they run home too quickly off the front."

The full field for the Miracle Mile is: Be Good Johnny, Foreal, It Is I, Lookslikelightning, Robin Hood, Slipnslide, Sly Flyin and Sokyola. Smooth Satin is the emergency.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY