Only a month ago, it looked like Eureka winner Encipher would not be at Menangle for the richest harness race in the world.

On Saturday night, the only mare in the $2.1 million race was on top of the world in a shock result as the $26 outsider charged past and away from odds-on favourite Leap To Fame to fulfil the prediction of trainer Emma Stewart.

“I pushed and pushed and pushed to get her in this race and finally they listened,” Stewart said. “I always thought she could do that, but it’s still amazing.

“I could see a thing during the race and I didn’t know she had won but I’ll take it.”

It was a brilliant drive from Luke McCarthy, who without the pressure of being a marked man, was able to stalk the speed in the one out-two back position, before pulling out in the straight and charging to victory.

The race had developed as many expected with Miracle Mile winner Catch A Wave finding the front and running them with favourite Leap To Fame sitting out him from a lap out.

They ran from the gate, 55.5 seconds for the lead half-mile then 29.5 and 28.1 quarters before the acid test went with 26.5 third section, which cracked Catch A Wave.

Grant Dixon rolled to the front on the favourite on the turn but Encipher was quickly on the scene and was tool powerful late and recording a mares’ world record mile rate of 1.51.8 as she won by 1¾ metres from Leap TO Fame ($1.70) with Captain Ravishing ($17) third 11½ metres away.

“She is a pretty mare. At the 600m when they went, she was still travelling and had a lot to offer and thought there I might have this,” McCarthy said. “She was just too strong late.”