ALBURY trainer Kevin Hanley was full of praise for jockey Simon Miller after the pair combined to land a double at Albury racecourse on Saturday.

Miller produced a clever ride to guide Eklands to victory but was at his brilliant best aboard Lateandknewit with a ground saving ride to snatch a thrilling last-stride victory.

Lateandknewit ($17) settled well back in the 10-horse field before Miller started to weave his way through the field in the home straight and burst through late to defeat Nat King Cu ($4) by a short-head.

Hanley is a hardened horseman and usually rare in praise of jockeys but acknowledged the ride aboard Lateandknewit was the difference 

between victory and 

defeat.

“I was rapt with the ride,” Hanley said.

“The horse had been getting too far out of his ground at his last couple of starts before flashing home late.

“Instead of just hooking wide on the turn Simon decided to look for a run on the inside and weaved his way through the field and it was the difference between winning and losing.

“There is no doubt Simon is riding the best he ever has and is in career best form.

“He seems a lot more dedicated and is reaping the rewards.”

The victory was Lateandknewit’s first this preparation after resuming from a 26-week spell in October.

Hanley said the veteran galloper could possibly target a race at Corowa on December 30 for his next start.

Stablemate Eklands ($5) broke through for a deserved win in the $15,000 Class 2 Hcp (1400 metres) after finishing second at her past three starts.

The four-year-old mare sat second in the run before forging clear late to defeat Jay Jay’s Choice ($5) by 1½ lengths.

“We were going to 

spell her four starts ago but she is just thriving on racing at the minute,” he said.

“She has seemed to pull-up well so we might look to giving her another start at Corowa in a fortnight.”