Mitchell Miller. Photo by Scott Hamilton Media
Young reinsman Mitch Miller has handed punters a valuable tip by electing to drive veteran pacer Tanaka Eagle in preference to effortless last-start winner Costa Del Magnifico and recent winner Jaxon Fella in the $20,000 Westral Pace over 2130m at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
Miller made full use of Tanaka Eagle’s great gate speed when he drove the black gelding to a smart all-the-way victory over Soho Wall Street, rating 1.54.7 over 1730m three starts ago and he aims to adopt similar tactics this week.
“We’re starting from barrier three and I’ll be attempting to get to the front and set the pace,” Miller said. “I’ll know after 200m whether I’ve made the right decision.”
Tanaka Eagle revealed his early brilliance last Friday night when he started from the outside barrier (No. 8) and burst straight to the front before setting the pace and finished a game third behind Itz Bettor To Win over 2536m.
Tanaka Eagle is a credit to his veteran Byford owner-trainer Reg Phillips, who has high hopes that a win this week will enhance the gelding’s prospects of gaining a start in the field of 30 to contest the heats of the TABtouch Inter Dominion championship. Tanaka Eagle has raced 147 times for 17 wins and 36 placings for earnings of $162,933.
Miller drove the Matt Scott-trained Jaxon Fella to a fast-finishing victory over Soho Wall Street and Tommy Be Good three starts ago. The drive behind Jaxon Fella (barrier four) this week has gone to Michael Ferguson, while trainer Ross Olivieri has engaged Deni Roberts to handle Costa Del Magnifico, who is favourably drawn at the No. 2 barrier.
Costa Del Magnifico made an auspicious West Australian debut on Tuesday of last week when he began off the 20m mark, and after racing three wide early, worked hard in the breeze before winning easily from Perfect Mach and El Comacho. The six-year-old looks set for many wins in this State.
Ace trainer-driver Kim Prentice gives Abraxas Blues a good chance in this event and signalled his intention of attempting to win the start and set the pace.
“He worked super this morning (Tuesday) and his recent runs have been full of merit,” Prentice said. “It’s a perfect draw (No. 1) and we’ll just take advantage of it, even though my horse is better as a sit-sprint horse.” Abraxas Blues has raced 36 times for nine wins and 17 placings.
