IT’S been a long time between drinks for Albury jockey Simon Miller.
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With the Albury Gold Cup now on the radar of most Melbourne and Sydney metropolitan trainers, local hoops are finding it increasingly difficult to get a gig in Albury’s premier race.
Miller last rode in the cup in 2011 and is eagerly anticipating riding in front of his home town crowd today after snaring the mount on longshot Sand Dune for trainer Kerry Weir.
“Since the prizemoney was raised to $170,000 in 2010 it’s certainly been a lot harder for local jockeys to pick up a ride in the cup,” Miller said.
“All the metropolitan trainers are targeting the race with the better credentialled horses and have their own jockeys.
“It’s not often bush jockeys get to race for that sort of prizemoney and I’m looking forward to the race.
“You never know what can happen in a race and a 50-1 shot get’s up somewhere in Australia every day.”
Sand Dune scored a thrilling last-to-first victory in the Corowa Cup earlier this month before running third at Wagga at his most recent start.
The six-year-old gelding is yet to win over 1700 metres and Miller admitted running a strong 2000 metres was the biggest query.
“It was a terrific win at Corowa over a mile but getting out over 10 furlongs is a
concern,” he said.
“He was also entered for the Albury Mile yesterday which would have suited him a lot more but he came up with a shocking barrier and would have been caught wide.
“So Kerry decided to go around in the cup where he is drawn to get a soft run.”
Sand Dune is given little hope by bookmakers and is quoted as a $61-chance.
Miller said tactically he was planning to give Sand Dune as economical trip as possible and ideally would settle three or four horses back on the fence.
“I will be just trying to ride him conservatively,” he said.
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