He even bought a property at Louth Park just to stable her and her progeny.

But the hard work, which has continued with her son, Bright Energy, has all been worth it.

Bright Energy will line up in the group 1 Newcastle Mile on Friday night with a genuine chance of taking out the $100,000 Miracle Mile qualifier.

A winner of 12 races from 20 starts and $130,000 in stakes, the five-year-old gelding has already won twice at group 3 level and was a close second in the group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 4YO final last year.

However, it's been a long road just getting him to an open grade group 1 race.

"Three weeks before he had his first race start, I didn't think we'd have a racehorse at all," Elder said.

"He showed absolutely nothing and we took him to the Newcastle trials and trialed him unhoppled to see if he could trot, because he couldn't pace. That's where we were with him.

"He just didn't want to do it, but then it was like he woke up the next day and said it's time to go racing.

"A lot of credit goes to Laurence Dawson. I sent him to him for three preparations because I couldn't get him to pace."

After all that, Bright Energy won his Breeders Challenge 2YO heat around Newcastle in 1:54:9 on debut.

He had four more wins before a tendon injury in a Victorian Derby heat sidelined him for 16 months.

"I wasn't happy," Elder said. "You finally get a half-decent one and you start to get all these issues."

Bright Energy was transferred from the Elder family stables to Cobbity Equine Farm and trainer Craig Cross to access rehabilitation equipment and be closer to elite racing at Menangle.

Since his return in May last year, Bright Energy has won seven times and been second in his three other starts.

He has gate five for the Newcastle Mile and was on the fourth line of betting at $6 with the TAB. Elder's nephew, Brad Elder, has the drive.

Michael "can't wait" for the race.

"He's overcome his injuries, he's been lightly raced and looked after, but now it's time for him to step up and get serious," he said. "I give him every chance."

Regardless of the result Friday night, Bright Energy has already rewarded Elder for going out on a limb with his former race mare Luminous Energy, which he matched with Western Terror.

"I bred with her, even though everyone told me not to," he said.

"She was mad, mate. You couldn't float her, she wouldn't travel. Every trainer I sent her to would send her back home. I think the most she ever spent anywhere was five weeks.

"But she's a tough mare, so that's why I bred a bit of toughness with speed.

"It was my first real attempt at breeding a decent horse and she was the catalyst for buying my own property ... so I'm having a bloody great ride."

"I've had nothing really decent before.

"She was probably the best mare I've had and he's the best gelding, so the family has been good to me."

Cross also has Wrangler and Little Rascal in the Newcastle Mile, which is set to run at 9.03pm.