Patience The Key For Miracle Man
23 March, 2018
Thoroughbred
Leading trainer Adam Durrant is prepared to risk defeat in tomorrow’s J.C. Roberts Stakes (1800m) for long term WA Derby success with Miracle Man.
The gelding was ridden on the speed last start when he was successful in the Lex Piper Stakes, but Durrant said a wide barrier tomorrow could force jockey Peter Knuckey to ride the galloper in the second half of the field.
“I’ll leave it up to Peter again…but I could imagine he is going to be in the second half of the field tomorrow,” Durrant told TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
“With a Derby point of view, we might have to use this as a sacrificial race to see where we are at rather than be aggressive with him.”
The son of Viscount carries equal topweight of 56kg tomorrow, and has been dealt barrier 13 of 16.
TABtouch installed Miracle Man as a $6.50 third favourite behind Action and Money Maher, while Sentimental Friend and Media Baron are also at a single figure price.
Despite having some concerns about how the Listed event would unfold, Durrant said he was still pleased with how Miracle Man was progressing.
“He’s working really well,” he said.
“This is an even bunch of three-year-olds…if you run this race five or six times you would get a different result.
“I wouldn’t swap my bloke for anyone.”
Durrant was also bullish about the prospects of progressive middle distance galloper Western Temple, ahead of his run in the Iron Jack Handicap (1800m).
Last start, Western Temple finished second to tearaway leader One Short over 1600m, but Durrant said he had high hopes for the Bob Peters-owned galloper tomorrow and in future preparations.
“He has not put a foot wrong this prep,” he said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if in six months time he was a summer carnival contender.
“Once everything falls into place with this guy, I could see him in a few lead ups to a good race.”
Meanwhile, Brett Pope is hopeful Hoodlum Thunder can re-enter WA Derby calculations when the gelding lines up in the Get The TABtouch Handicap (1675m) at Bunbury on Sunday.
The Blackfriars gelding was well beaten in his last two starts, but Pope said he had excuses on both occasions.
“He had ulcers, so we had to back off him, treat him, and bring him back up,” he said.
“This is the last throw of the dice.
“If he performs to expectations we will press on to the Derby.”
The J.C. Roberts Stakes is the feature event at Ascot tomorrow, and jumps at 5.00pm.
Tim Walker