
Charlie Harris harnessed a miracle on Saturday night, combing with Chester’s Lad to win a mini-trotting Miracle Mile at Menangle.
At this first attempt the 10-year-old stole the show to take out the midgets division.
Charlie was not too confident heading into the race but shot to the front as soon as the mobile barrier released the field and was never headed.
He was thrilled to take out the win on NSW’s big night.
“It felt pretty good,” Charlie said.
It was almost a double for the Junee Reefs family with 14-year-old Brooke finishing second in the Shetland division with Pocket Watch.
Despite a fast finish, she couldn’t reel in the leader.
The Miracle Mile is different to most other mini-trotting races.
Not only is it over a shorter trip, but the races are mobile starts.
However the Harrises had plenty of practice behind the mobile at home to make sure they didn’t miss the start.
It was all part of the pre-race tactics set by father Matthew Harris.
“I said to the kids over the short distance you don’t have a lot of time to correct things if things go wrong so take a pretty laid back approach, go enjoy yourself and whatever happens happens,” Harris said.
Chester’s Lad has been with Charlie for three years after previously been driven by Cameron Hart.
The siblings repeated their efforts from the NSW Mini Trots Championships at Tamworth last Easter.
There was more Junee success in the ponies division with Eliza Turton finishing third with Little Jon.