Miller hopes for a Magnificent Lee Steere Stakes
Top trainer Stephen Miller believes Magnificent Andy is poised for victory and can stamp his Railway Stakes (1600m) credentials when he tackles the Group 2 Perth Racing Member Appreciation-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.
Miller’s confident prediction is drawn from Magnificent Andy’s previous run in the Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) when he finished powerfully for third behind, Comfort Me, beaten 1 ½ lengths in the Group 3 event three weeks ago.
The form out of the Eurythmic Stakes was well and truly franked seven days back when runner-up and gun mare Super Smink rallied home to make a welcome return to the winner’s list in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m).
Currently $4.80 with betting sites, Magnificent Andy sits on the third line of betting with Comfort Me the $4 favourite and Searchin’ Roc’s, a luckless fifth in the Eurythmic Stakes after racing wide, rated a $4.20 chance.
To jump from barrier one for jockey, Brad Parnham, Magnificent Andy can sit on the back of likely leader Comfort Me and in their rematch meets the eight-year-old 3 ½ kg better at the weights under weight-for-age conditions.
Miller said Magnificent Andy had improved and has exhibited positive signs since his last start effort in the Eurythmic Stakes.
“He’s done pretty well and is probably a bit more fitter,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“I think his last run he was sort of back to it and I’m looking forward to it.
“I thought he would run well and he did and he’s come through it pretty good.
“We are heading in the right direction, I think.”
A winner of the Hannans Handicap (1400m) last year, Magnificent Andy shot to Ascot carnival prominence in the winter after winning the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and The Joey (1200m).
Parnham is on the hunt for his second Lee Steere Stakes trophy in three years after booting home Massimo for the Gangemi brothers in 2023.
Meanwhile, Miller believes bypassing the Fairetha Stakes and taking on older horses in the South African Airways Handicap (1400m) will pay off ahead of the WA Guineas (1600m) for his top three-year-old, Elite Missile.
“I just think it toughens them up a bit, racing against older horses,” Miller said.
“I would have preferred it to be a mile, but it is what it is.”
At $4.40, Elite Missile holds narrow market lead over Keshi Boom, $4.60 with betting apps in Australia.
With Parnham aboard, he has drawn barrier 14.
Elite Missile is second up after posting a smart win on his return three weeks ago.
Miller expects Holly Enchantment to show improvement in the Listed Luckygray Stakes (1800m).
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