MILLER BRINGS BIG CHANCES TO CAIRNS RACING MEET

THE Rodney Miller yard has been growing steadily over the last few years and will be at its largest capacity ever today on their home track.

Miller, a former local rider, previously would have a starter or two every now and again throughout north Queensland.

Today at Cairns Jockey Club, six live chances will go around for the Miller team and it could have been seven if Diamozu, a recent maiden winner, had not bled up at Tolga on Saturday.

“It is huge,” Miller said of his stable growth.

The old guard of Voltaic, Via Balciano and Barwon will be joined by fresh stable arrivals Happy Hooves and Hasty Heart across the nine-event program.

Happy Hooves was previously with premier Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan, while Hasty Heart comes north from Ken Parker in NSW.

Miller is not getting carried away with his new couple but is hopeful of what they can produce.

“They have just come up from other trainers, so we are still learning a lot about them,” Miller said.

“I expect them to go OK (today).”

Old campaigner Barwon will be ridden by stable hoop Scott Gittos in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1900m) to finish proceedings from Cannon Park, just days after he only just went down at Townsville.

“Scott rides him work, he is a difficult horse to ride in work and we will give Scott the chance on him,” Miller said.

“I have never had him going this good, he has got a new lease of life, his gallop the other morning was quicker than any final 400m of any horse I clocked that morning.

“That is the way he works, but he can run terrible at times.”

On Saturday at Tolga, Diamozu was post-race found to have bled from both nostrils in running, being the first episode of his career.

Stewards advised Miller that the gelding would incur the mandatory three months ban and be required to gallop 1000m satisfactorily in the presence of a steward prior to next race start.