The Newcastle Mile, though, was always just out of reach.

But where Mach Beauty, Suave Stuey Lombo and Yayas Hot Spot fell short, the Trittons are hoping 10-year-old Maximan can succeed.

The Inter Dominion finalist, bought as a $25,000 claimer last July, looms as the knockout chance in Friday night’s Newcastle Mile, which has been elevated to group 1 status and $100,000 prizemoney for the first time.

Sydney trainer Kevin Pizzuto looks to have a stranglehold on the race with defending champion Majordan ($1.40) and Picard ($3.30) set to start from gates two and three respectively.

Maximan ($10) was on the next line of betting with the TAB and will start from gate five. Based on his past two starts, those odds look attractive in the Miracle Mile qualifier.

He flew late to beat Majordan on the line last Saturday night and was a half-head second to superstar Tiger Tara a week earlier.

Those runs came after a five-week break following Maximan’s distant last in the Inter Dominion final.

“We were a bit disappointed in the Inter Dominion final, but it wasn’t really his fault,” said Shane, who won seven consecutive Newcastle trainers’ premierships before moving to Menangle Park.

“He choked down from when he got knocked down and he didn’t really cope. We gave him a freshen up and he’s come back better than ever, so we’re really happy. 

“Obviously these races are going to be hard to win but he’s proven he can mix it with anyone given the right run. His last two starts he’s raced probably the best two horses in the country, and he’s mixed it with them. I think he’ll be thereabouts on Friday night.”

He conceded that Pizzuto’s pair “will be hard to beat” but he was not discounting Maximan’s chances.

“One thing I’ve learned about these types of races is that it’s very rarely as simple as people think,” he said.  

“No one generally gives them away. Even Majordan, as much as he led and won last year, he didn’t burn the gate and lead easily. He got gifted the lead.

“It may not be that simple. The inside barriers at Newcastle are not always the easiest spots to lead from, so if anyone is brave enough to launch the gate, then maybe it won’t be as easy for him.”

The biggest talking point in the lead-up has been the entry of Chariots of Fire qualifier Picard and decision by Harness Racing NSW officials to disregard conditions of the Newcastle race. Officials have said Picard can run in the Chariots or the Miracle Mile, but not both, if they win at Newcastle. That goes against conditions barring the Newcastle victor from competing again before the March 2 Miracle Mile.

Tritton said “it’s surprising that the condition was even put on the race” and it was ridiculous that Picard’s connections may have to choose between the two features.

“I don’t think at this level they should be putting any conditions on,” he said. “Just let the best horses race.”

“And if Picard deserves to be there, let him race.

“But the way they’ve done the conditions, it has probably been something that doesn’t need to happen. The controversy. If Picard happens to win, it’s going to be another confusing few weeks.

“I just feel sorry for the conditions of Picard and Kevvy because they’ve nominated because they want to race and they’ve got these other things they have to deal with. Hopefully common sense prevails.

“He shouldn’t be put in the position that he has to give up a Miracle Mile start if he wins the Chariots. The idea of the Chariots is to give the winner a start.” 

The Trittons also have Yayas Hot Spot and Lombo Kotakinabalu as emergencies for the eight-horse Newcastle Mile field.

“It’s good to see it up to a group 1 now,” he said.

“It probably means a bit more than the last couple of years. They haven’t really been the right races that you expect from a Newcastle Mile, but this is back to being a true one.

“We don’t get the chance to come up there too often, so it’s good to bring good horses up and we’ll see how it goes.

“I probably think Yayas deserves a spot. He’s been there and done it. If he gets a run, I’m confident he’ll run a good race.

“The other bloke is coming back from a break, but he’s probably working better than any horse on my property.

“If they get a run, they’ll do well.”