Miller’s eye on Sky for locals
QUALITY Tasmanian sprinter Tshahitsi may have had his colours lowered in a race at Flemington last Saturday, but two of his stablemates produced impressive performances to win in Devonport on the same day.
Tshahitsi finished a game third in a heat of the Winter Championship over 1400m to ensure he progresses to the final in a fortnight.
In Devonport Jacques and Argillite won their respective races to suggest both should keep winning this preparation.
Co-trainer Imogen Miller, who prepares the team in partnership with Chris Crook at Campania, was elated with the two local wins.
“I was in Melbourne with Tshahitsi but I was glued to the Sky monitor to watch both of our horses win at Spreyton,” Miller said.
“I thought Jacques was very impressive and while I wasn’t surprised he won I thought he showed a lot of courage to fight on like he did and I thought he won with authority.
“Jacques has always shown us a lot of ability, but we have had to be patient with him and that looks to be playing off.”
Jacques (Matsqui-Martinelli) was well ridden by Troy Baker, who sent the five-yearold gelding to the lead and he set a solid tempo with the wellbacked Happy Halloween settled third on the rails, while Loose In Vegas faced the breeze outside of the leader.
When Loose in Vegas dropped off, rider Siggy Carr eased Happy Halloween off the rail to challenge and looked set to win 100m out. But Argillite (Elvstroem-Claystone x Zabeel) showed plenty of grit to fight back and win.
“Argillite is only lightly raced because she has a few issues, but she has done a good job this time in and it was really good to see her finally break through.”
Miller was far from disappointed with Tshahitsi’s effort at Flemington.
“When you sit back and analyse the race Tshahitsi has done a great job to finish as close as he did [beaten 1.2 lengths],” Miller said.
Tshahitsi carried 59kg while the winner Cannyscent carried only 52.5kg courtesy of a claim for apprentice Beau Mertens.
“Tshahitsi will run in the Winter Championship final over 1600m and then come home for a spell.” THIS season’s Hobart Cup winner Count Da Vinci delivered another outstanding trial win in Hobart on Tuesday, which should have him in top shape to tackle a race at Flemington next week.
Trainer Scott Brunton plans to enter Count Da Vinci in the Winter Championship (1600m), which would set up a clash with Tshahitsi. But there is no guarantee Count Da Vinci will gain a start as he never contested any heats in Victoria.
Another contributing factor would be whether or not jock- ey David Pires has recovered from a knee injury in time to make the trip. Pires suffered a badly lacerated right knee as a result of the horse he was riding, Windrider, rearing in the starting stalls that caused his knee to be banged against a gate latch.
“We aren’t sure if Count Da Vinci will get a run in the race, but if David [Pires] isn’t fit enough to ride him, the horse won’t be going,” Brunton said.