And after Bright Energy's encouraging fourth behind stronger company two weeks ago at the track, Elder is confident the six-year-old can do just that.

Bright Energy, co-owned and co-bred by Elder's uncle, Michael Elder, was among three pacers from the Cobbitty training team of Belinda and Luke McCarthy controversially scratched by stewards from the group 1 Newcastle Mile last year after narrowly missing the early arrival deadline because of traffic.

The Elders are again targetting their home feature with Bright Energy but they face a tough task to make the field, given the predicted entries, including superstar Lochinvar Art, in the Miracle Mile qualifier next Friday night.

Bright Energy was five metres away from defending Miracle Mile champion King Of Swing in fourth last start at Menangle over 2300m.

Elder drove Bright Energy hard early to get the lead from gate seven but he was then three back on the pegs as more pushed forward.

After struggling to find a run in the straight, Bright Energy was strong late when clear.

"The horse went pretty good," Elder said.

"He was first up for a few weeks so it would have tightened him up a bit further for this week."

The top three from that race are not against Bright Energy in the second on Saturday but Cash N Flow was a dominant favourite from the extreme outside gate.

Bright Energy will likely start from four and Elder was confident of a much-needed win.

"I think if he leads, or even if he took a sit on Cash N Flow, he could beat him, just the way the horse has been going," he said.

"He should be able to lead from there and I think he's a pretty good chance.

"He really does need to win to get a start in the Mile.

"It will be hard, especially with only eight runners, but a win should get him in, especially being at the top level at Menangle."

Elder will also drive Shannonstheman in the third race for his father, Darren. The pacer has won four times at Newcastle for the stable but is yet to break through in town.

"He's been going pretty good," he said.

"He only got beat five metres, going 52, at Newcastle last week and we were back in the pack a little bit.

"I think he's good enough, but it just all depends where we end up in the run.

"I think he's more of a chance of sitting, like one-one. I don't think he can cross the inside two."

Nominations for the Newcastle Mile close Monday and the draw for the race will be held live on Sky Racing from 9.30am Tuesday.

Newcastle Harness Racing Club boss Wayne Smith said function room seating for the meeting was booked out and general admission tickets were selling out fast. Tickets must be bought online from www.newcastleharness.com.au before the meeting.