Mile test for Magnificent Andy in Hyperion Stakes

A strong showing by Magnificent Andy in Saturday’s Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont could present a good dilemma for trainer Stephen Miller.

The gelding will start over the mile for the first time in his career, having never run beyond 1500m in his career to date.

Miller said if Magnificent Andy performed well on Saturday he would consider a shot at the Group 1 Railway Stakes or a Melbourne trip later in the year.

“Saturday will give me a good guide, because if he runs the mile out it will open more doors,” Stephen Miller told The Races WA.

“It’s in the back of my mind go over east.

“We could look to give him a run or two over east before our carnival here.

“I was going to take him to the Wangoom at Warrnambool with No Apology, but the talk was the track was going to be heavy.

“We have the $200,000 races here and I decided to concentrate on them.”

Magnificent Andy started this campaign in terrific form winning The Joey (1200m) last month.

He went on to perform well in the Group 3 Northam Stakes (1300m) and Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) at his two subsequent starts.

Miller said he’s been pleased with how the five-year-old has progressed through the campaign.

“His runs have been really good,” he said.

“Hopefully he will be put another good one in on Saturday before we likely end his campaign.

“He’s come through last start really well and his work has been good since.

“Each campaign he just seems to come back a little bit better.”

Miller will have dual representation in Saturday’s feature, with Last Of The Line set to launch what could be his final racing campaign.

The seven-year-old is likely to tackle next month’s Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m), a race he won last year, second-up and Miller said it could be his final campaign.

“He had an average campaign last time in,” he said.

“He was good first-up and then he didn’t fire at his subsequent runs.

“We’ve given him a few trials and he’s come through them good.

“Whether it’s got to the stage it’s all too much for him and he’s had enough, Saturday will tell the story.”

Magnificent Andy drew kindly in barrier five for the Hyperion Stakes, while Last Of The Line will start from barrier 12.

Belmont Sprint winner Western Empire is set to be hard to beat from barrier six.

Meanwhile, Miller’s Warrnambool Cup placegetter No Apology could also be heading for retirement, after he was scratched from an 1800m event at Sandown last Saturday.

Miller said a decision on his racing future would be made on his return to Perth.