Jockey Simon Miller will head to Rosehill tomorrow full of confidence after landing a double at Albury’s opening meeting of the season yesterday.
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Miller combined with Albury trainer Pat Widdup to score aboard Nuclear Power who notched his first career win in the $15,000 Maiden Hcp, (1175m).
He made it a race to race double after Equal Chance also broke through for his maiden victory in the $15,000 Maiden Hcp, (1600m) for veteran Albury trainer Kevin Hanley.
Miller will make the trek to Sydney for the one ride tomorrow and partner the Hanley-trained Eklands as she targets her first city success.
Eklands has won three of her past four starts with her only failure in midweek company at Warwick Farm last month.
Miller said Eklands deserved another shot in the city and could run a cheeky race with a light weight.
“She is able to claim three kilograms because she is a country horse and gets into the race just above the limit on 55.5,” Miller said.
“I think the track is dead at the moment so a bit more rain would be nice.”
Miller said there were bigger wins in store for Nuclear Power who was only having his fourth career start.
Nuclear Power ($11) crossed to the lead from a wide barrier and never looked like being headed in the straight to score a convincing 1½-length win over Grand Dreamer and Diggers Daughter.
“He has always shown a bit of ability but until today didn’t seem to try real hard, real often,” he said.
“He has got his fair share of gate speed but Pat decided to change his gear and put the norton bit back on and also had a tongue tie for the first time.”
Widdup also landed a double after Lady Henrietta ($4.20) took out the final race on the card with Amanda Masters aboard.
Local trainers dominated the meeting after Olly I Am made it three straight wins this preparation for trainer Alex Aquilina.
Graham Hulm made it five wins from seven races for the locals when La Cachette benefited from a brilliant Brendan Ward ride to take out the $15,000 Benchmark 60 Hcp, (1175m).