Patrick Chang

PATRICK CHANG's MIRACLE STAR faces an easier bunch of overnight allowance runners tomorrow, horses who have never won at the level, giving the five-year-old a grand chance to go one better after his near miss against EASTWOOD on last month.

MIRACLE STAR came storming at EASTWOOD but lost by a half length at 1500 metres, caught flat-footed in a six-furlong split of 1:11.3. The chestnut closed 10 lengths in the lane but EASTWOOD stole home under Percy Williams for a gate-to-wire victory.

Chang's runner has been one of the most consistent horses in training, finishing no worse than fourth in his last eight starts. Prior to failing to nab EASTWOOD, MIRACLE STAR had finished a length fourth behind DOC HOLIDAY, JACK DE CHARMER and DOUBLE BUTTON at 1400 metres, closing fast at the end.

surprised

Cardenas appeared a bit over-confident on MIRACLE STAR last time out, possibly surprised by EASTWOOD uncharacteristically showing blinding early speed. His miscalculation has cost him the ride, replaced by Dane Nelson, who, by his nature, should make no such mistake.

There will be sufficient speed on the lead for MIRACLE STAR to stalk as FORTUNEONEHUNDRED, LADYLIKE and JACK DE CHARMER should be among the front-runners, cancelling each other at 1500 metres.

DOUBLE BUTTON is a strong closer, but gets caught too far behind. The pace will have to be crawling in the stretch run for the Gordon Lewis-trained runner to outfinish MIRACLE STAR.

Form players should walk the straight and narrow tomorrow, starting at the opening event with champion trainer Wayne DaCosta's MISS JUANITA at 1300 metres. The filly might have finished down the track in the Oaks but it should be noted she was fourth at the half mile in the 1000 Guineas and was still there turning for home behind BUBBLING ANGELINE, QUEEN PAULA and BLACK THORN.

Howard Jaghai has had LADY SHANKARI on ice since her debut victory in December and she has worked well for the fifth at 1000 metres round.

COLD GROUND was claimed for $550,000 out of his last race and has dropped to $350,000 in the ninth, sent over his best trip, 1820 metres.