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
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...