The Kevin Pizzuto-trained Majordan, the 2018 champion, won the $100,000 event at Newcastle Paceway and an invite to the Miracle Mile in a time of 1:50:7, defeating the Paul Court-trained Hail Christian. The Roy Roots jnr-trained The Black Prince was third.

Majordan and driver Todd McCarthy burst to the lead and set a cracking pace before just holding on as Hail Christian charged down the inside. The previous record was Balraj's 1:50:9.

Scheduled to have 10 runners, the race had just seven after the Craig Cross-trained Bright Energy, Little Rascal and Wrangler were scratched by order of the stewards at 7.30pm because the Cobbitty-based team were late to the track.

A fallen tree on a road at Penrith caused massive traffic delays in Sydney, and despite the Cross team leaving about 2.50pm, they arrived at Newcastle Paceway just a few minutes past 7pm for the 9:04pm Newcastle Mile. The trip usually takes about two and a half hours.

Runners must arrive on track for a group 1 race two hours before the start time. Standard races have only a one-hour requirement.

Harness Racing NSW stewards announced on social media just after 2pm that trainers should allow extra travel time because of traffic on Pennant Hills Road.

Louth Park's Michael Elder, the owner-breeder of Bright Energy, said the Cross pacers were unloaded only six minutes late and the stewards' decision was "just a joke".

"Harness racing hits a new low," Elder said.

"They talk about having policies, but they don't enforce them all the time anyway. People come late to races all the time and just get fines."

At Menangle on Saturday night, Singleton trainer Aaron Goadsby expects Takara Truffle to put in another strong performance in far greater company when she strives for a Ladyship Mile start.

The six-year-old has drawn well in gate three for the group 2 Robin Dundee Stakes, which is the second qualifier for next week's group 1 Ladyship Mile.

Takara Truffle earned a start in the heat with an all-the-way win last Saturday night at the track in a career-best time of 1:51:8 but this week she faces stars like Our Princess Tiffany and Speak No Evil.

Luke McCarthy drove Takara Truffle to victory last week but he will be with Speak No Evil from gate two.

Maitland's Guy Chapple returns from suspension to partner Takara Truffle, which Goadsby said had trained on well in the hope of a top-four finish.

"If we qualify, we qualify," he said. "If not, she's already won three down there this prep so we'll have a freshen up and get her ready for the winter.

"Her work has been really good this week. I'm really happy with her. I won't say that she will go any better, but she won't disgrace herself."

In the feature race, the group 1 Chariots of Fire, Hunter-owned Lochinvar Art will be one of the favourites.

Trained in Victoria by David Moran, Lochinvar Art is owned by Lake Macquarie businessman Kevin Gordon.

It was a $3 favourite from gate five with TAB Fixed Odds on Friday, just ahead of Self Assured ($3.10), which has the extreme outside.