Comfysofa gave Jason Whiting that sort of ride when after being second early he sidled to the front for home and won the third race, over 1400m, comfortably.
“I am still learning about this horse but he is the real deal and a Saturday type,” the returning pilgrim Simon Miller said after the race at Ascot yesterday. The trainer has recently purchased four youngsters from the East.
Miller said Comfysofa could be as good as Bombora (who is set to race again shortly) and that he had gone easy on him after a hard first up win upon resuming at Pinjarra on January 6.
On that occasion the horse had tramped three deep from an outside draw.
Yesterday, at Ascot, Comfysofa from barrier seven was always up there and after a spirited duel with Right Honourable (third) pulled away from that galloper with Fabulistic finishing strongly, late, to claim second.
Miller also said Grey Cheval, winner of all three of her races, would probably not start in next month’s Magic Millions (1400m).
“She will get that distance next campaign but not this preparation –we will concentrate on the shorter sprints for now.”
Miller still has a potent pair in Hard Ball Get and Portonian (two from two) in the Magic Millions.
Oz Racing boss, Bruce Saxild had a good day as later in the program his syndicate, combined with Oakland Park, won with the Fred Kersley-trained galloper Ready on Time (Steven Parnham) who narrowly beat Quickie (Troy Turner).
However, Turner was in good touch and won a double at the meeting with Hey Blondie and Beatnik Boy, in the last.
Both gallopers came from well back, finishing full of running, and in the case of Hey Blondie she nailed Magnifisio (Jason Brown) right on the post to continue the good form of the Giadresco stable.
Beatnik Boy hit the lead late in his race and was then challenged by Toned (Whiting), coming from absolute last on the turn, but the Todd Harvey trained gelding was never going to lose it.
Owner-trainer Raquel Mills had the win of the day with a ‘greenhorn,’ Fitzrada, whose form going into his first race was hardly inspiring.
In his first two trials the 3yo had finished either last or near the rear and while second at his last trial (of four), at Lark Hill on December 31, he was not favoured.
Mills certainly did not expect a victory and after his first trial she said she thought he was going to end up as an eventer!
Pat Carbery dropped him back to near the rear and he never was closer in than three or four off the fence but he finished the race with force.
Fitzrada could be an interesting work in progress.