Simon Miller with a fierce five-strong line-up across the two big races on day one of the Pinnacles at Ascot
Top trainer Simon Miller will have a team of three live chances in the Listed $500,000 TABtouch Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) as he seeks a record sixth win in Ascot’s prized event on day one of the Pinnacles.
Since presenting Miss Bux to win in 2012, Miller has won the three-year-old dash with Liberty’s Gem (2014), Caipirinha (2016), Ocean Jewel (2017) and Dance Music (2018).
Amazingly, each of those wins was achieved with a different jockey and if Miller is to add another name to race’s honour roll, it will be a maiden win for his hoop.
Madhi Girl is foremost in the betting as an $11 TABtouch elect and will again be partnered by Steve Parnham after her runner-up effort in the Placid Ark Prelude.
“I think she’s more effective from behind, so we’ll sit her midfield and save her up,” Miller said.
“Her 1200m run was good at the Pinjarra Magic Millions when she rattled from out wide.
“She’s got a really quick turn of foot, so as long as she relaxes early, she can go bang.”
Horcrux ($19) has shown plenty of early speed but left his trainer with a quandary after emptying out to run sixth in the Fairetha Stakes.
“I suspect he gets a mile and was just in the slow lane the other day, but what if I go to the Guineas and he doesn’t run it out?” Miller said.
“So, I’ve dropped him back to play the percentages; he had a winter 1200m win.
“He’ll be somewhere on top of the speed and he’s the forgotten one.”
He will be joined by regular rider Jordan Turner, while Lucy Fiore teams up with Golden Vale ($31) for the first time after a Placid Ark Prelude sixth.
“She needed a gate to help her get 1200m and the blinkers come off her because she’s been hitting the bridle too hard. She hasn’t had much luck.” Miller said.
The Ascot trainer will also be represented by two leading fancies in the Group 3 $300,000 TABtouch WA Champion Fillies’ Stakes (1600m) with Burgess Queen third and fourth placegetters Flower Of Gold ($3.70) and Diamond Dancer ($5.50).
“Flower Of Gold will find the extra 200m right up her alley; she’ll eat the mile up,” Miller said.
“She’s had a good time of it since her luckless run the other day.
“She’ll be midfield.
“Diamond Dancer was run off the track last start, which cost us running a place.
“I think getting to the mile will help her and being back out in trip will be more to her liking.
“There doesn’t look any speed, but she doesn’t mind rolling along either, so she’ll give a great sight.”
For Miller’s Placid Ark dominance, that has been matched in the Champion Fillies’ standings by Grant and Alana Williams, preparing six winners since 2010.
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