Magnificent Andy out for Gold Rush haul
Astute trainer Stephen Miller feels Magnificent Andy is ‘spot on’ and he’s backed his six-year-old to run well when he tackles Saturday’s $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot.
Magnificent Andy is coming out of a strong fourth in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and coupled with a positive barrier draw and a return to his pet distance has given Stephen Miller plenty of confidence his gelding can be competitive in the final feature race of the Pinnacles carnival.
“He’s done really well and the plan was to go to this race,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“Being a 1400m I think he’s pretty much suited at the distance instead of trying to push him forward to the 1800m race (Northerly Stakes).
“He’s coming into it three weeks between runs and a little bit fresher, so I expect him to run really well.”
Magnificent Andy can be tardy out of the gates, but jumped cleanly from an inside draw in the Railway Stakes and was handily placed throughout.
Miller hopes from barrier four in the Gold Rush, regular partner, Brad Parnham, can plot a path and find a similar positive spot in running.
“Brad knows him really well and hopefully can get him out as good as he can,” Miller said.
“It will be nice to lob one off the fence in the moving line and then it’s up to the horse from then on.”
It’s been a productive 15-months for Magnificent Andy who won last October’s Listed Hannans Handicap (1400m) in Kalgoorlie and the Group 3 Hyperion Stakes (1600m) at Belmont in June.
The son of Magnus, who is closing in on $1 million in prizemoney, has recorded seven of his 10 career wins at 1400m.
Miller is flirting with sending Magnificent Andy to Melbourne early next year.
“I still haven’t ruled out taking him to Melbourne for a race or two over there,” Miller said.
“There’s always plenty of races over there for good prize money.
“I think he could measure up to the lower grade, not the top grade.
“That’s still in the back of my mind, for sure.”
Magnificent Andy is $9.50 and on the third line with Tabtouch.
Western Empire ($4.60) holds narrow favouritism over Super Smink ($4.80).
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...