Brett Miller drives Ace Duigan to a record breaking victory in the International All Star Series.
US superstar Brett Miller broke his duck on Australian soil and then made it two on the trot for good measure.
Miller was the toast of the town when the International All Star Series rolled into Echuca for night two, smashing a track record while claiming victory in the final two races of the night to catapult from equal second-last on the series leaderboard to third.
WATCH BRETT MILLER WIN RACE SEVEN FROM THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
Consistent Victorian Chris Alford tops the leaderboard, boosted by his victory in the sixth leg of the series with an all-the-way win driving Dreamtime Spirit, who withstood a wave of late swoopers.
And Kerryn Manning took the first of the day – the fifth in the All Stars series – winning in teal on International Women’s Day with Millwood Pink Lady.
KERRYN MANNING WAS RIGHTFULLY BEAMING AFTER HER VICTORY IN RACE FIVE
Miller turned his week around in the series’ seventh race, after A Few Dollars More trainer Neville Pangrazio assured him he could race the mare with confidence, despite having only her second start after a ninth placing at Melton more than 12 months prior.
“The trainer told me the horse I had been driving had been off for some time and that he had been trialling real good,” Miller said.
“He said ‘have you won a race here yet?’ I said ‘no’, and he said ‘you are going to win your first one here’.”
From barrier one Miller shot A Few Dollars More to the lead, and when compatriot Corey Callahan guided Uwillneva Get This past him, Miller was happy to take the box seat.
A Few Dollars More then dashed clear from the final corner to win by 5.7m for an overjoyed group of owners, with Callahan holding second and Jason Lee guiding Kadaminy to third.
SEE THE INTERNATIONAL ALL STARS WOW ECHUCA KIDS WITH SUPERSTAR CARDS
Miller said his confidence was fuelled by the win, and when Michael Mannix – trainer of his race eight drive Ace Duigan – told him the horse could be lazy, well that was music to Miller’s ears.
“I always felt like in my career I always do best with lazy horses,” Miller said.
“Going into the last race I had a lot of confidence of winning that race. It took me a long time to make the front, but as soon as he made the front the horse was real comfortable and I thought to myself this horse has got a shot to win now.”
Miller led Ace Duigan through a frenetic 37.9 lead time.
“Before I got over, I thought ‘uh oh’, this is going to be suicide here. As soon as I crossed over my horse’s ears went up, he looked around, and my experience with racehorses is that when they do that that means they are doing it very easy.”
Ace Duigan just kept on giving, finishing his track record breaking 1:57.2 mile with a 29.4 final quarter that saw him win by 6.8m from a blanket finish, with Alford claiming second driving Wheres Bub.
The thrilling racing capped a memorable day for the International All Stars, who toured horse stud Alabar Farms, savoured some fine local fare at Morrison’s Riverview winery and restaurant and then hit the lanes for some tenpin bowling.
THE INTERNATIONAL ALL STARS BOWLED THEM OVER AND VISITED HORSE STUD ALABAR FARMS
The International All Star Series rolls on to Maryborough next, with races nine to 12 at 1.52pm, 2.48pm, 3.18pm and 4.18pm.
International All Star Series day two leaderboard: Chris Alford 61 points, Dexter Dunn 60, Brett Miller 58, Yannick Gingras 56, Jason Lee 56, Greg Sugars 55.5, Kerryn Manning 46.5, Corey Callahan 46, Gavin Lang 41, Anthony Butt 33.
Overall leaderboard:Victoria 260, World 253.
Media enquiries:
MICHAEL HOWARD
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS CO-ORDINATOR
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
PO BOX 184, MOONEE PONDS, VIC 3039
400 EPSOM ROAD, FLEMINGTON, VIC 3031
t: 03 8378 0286 | f: 03 9214 0699 | e: mhoward@hrv.org.au
www.hrv.org.au
