(Andrew Bensley is a leading commentator with Sky Racing and Sky Sports Radio.)

Gary Hall snr is a confident trainer to say the least, and why not? He has plenty of good reasons to be.

His stable is one of the most envied in Australia and this weekend he will be shooting for a unique Group One double - Miracle Mile/Golden Nugget.

Hall declared earlier this week that WA champion Im Themightyquinn would be ready to throw down the gauntlet to defending Miracle Mile champion Smoken Up in Australasia's most famous sprint.

Im Themightyquinn has drawn barrier three and arrived in Sydney yesterday, which suits Hall's preparation down to a tee.

"That was the best option for the horse - to fly in, give him a couple of days to get ready, then race and then head home," he said.

"He is really flying at the moment but I feel there is a little more improvement in him to what he has shown us so far."

Smoken Up has drawn the pole and the consensus is that he'll lead and be extremely hard to beat. Those expecting a war of attrition between the two pacers, however, could be disappointed as Hall is likely to instruct his reinsman son, Gary Hall Junior, to find a spot close to the speed and unleash a devastating final sprint.

"Attacking Smoken Up throughout the race would be suicide," he said.

"I believe that when held up and given the right trip, no horse in Australia or New Zealand can sprint with ‘the Quinn'."

Still on the Miracle Mile and the possibility of the Australasian mile record of 1:48.5 falling is a distinct possibility.

When Smoken Up set the standard earlier this year at Tabcorp Park Menangle when winning the Len Smith Mile, he was pressured early by Mr Feelgood before careering away in the home straight to set a piece of history.

It was the first time the magical 1:50 mile barrier had been broken in Australasia.

The field assembled for Saturday night's epic could push the record given the right amount of speed throughout the race, however, there can't be any easy quarters otherwise the mark will be out of reach.

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OVER to the west and Glyn Schofield has been booked to ride WA Guineas winner King Saul in Saturday week's Kingston Town Classic.

Schofield has had a spectacular spring with the deeds of Manawanui delivering him a victory in the Golden Rose early in the Spring Carnival.

King Saul took out last Saturday's WA Guineas in fine style and is currently at $4 with TAB Sportsbet to win the Kingston Town Classic.

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HULKING sprinter Hay List (pictured) could be headed for a change in stables, according to reports in the WA press this week.

Part owner Terry Davenport has reportedly floated the idea of the horse heading to a Victorian stable should he head that way early next year, with the Lightning Stakes in early February a likely launching pad for a possible overseas trip.

Hay List has been in light work on his way to recovering from an injury setback, which ruled him out of the Doomben 10,000 in May.

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Finally, the Japan Cup will be run this Sunday afternoon and what a race it promises to be.

Local champion Victoire Pisa, the reigning Dubai World Cup holder, will clash with an outstanding field which includes Danedream, the horse that shocked the world when winning the Arc De Triomphe by five lengths. Remember, So You Think was among the beaten brigade that day.

Sky Racing2 will have coverage of races 6, 8, 9 & 10 from Tokyo, commencing at 3pm on Sunday afternoon.