STAR Tasmanian pacer Beautide went within a neck of winning back-to-back Miracle Miles at Menangle tonight.
After settling fourth and out of an early speed battle. Beautide’s trainer-driver James Rattray opted to send his charge forward to face the breeze outside of leader easy On The Eye while the well backed Christen Me settled fifth in the one-out line and poised to pounce turning for home.
Rattray applied the pressure to the leader 400 metres from home and quickly assumed control and at the top of the home straight little separated the first six in the field of eight.
Beautide forged clear and it was evident a long way out that the reigning champ and New Zealand mile specialist Christen Me would fight out the finish.
Christen Me (Dexter Dunn) moved alongside Beautide 1560 metres out and looked set to storm to the lead but the Tasmanian was game and refused to wilt.
But Christen Me was able to fond that little bit extra over the concluding stages to emerge triumphant by a neck over Beautide with Victorian gelding Guarantee a closing third.
Beautide will now head to Victoria where his first assignment will be the Ballarat Cup in a fortnight.