Don’t Ignore Sujet’s Fresh Record Says Miller

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Thoroughbred

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THOROUGHBRED

Simon Miller is hoping to capitalise on Sujet’s outstanding fresh form in a bid to cause a boil over in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday.

Despite holding an imposing record of three wins and a second from four first-up attempts, the son of Vital Equine has largely been left out of calculations by punters.

The majority of pre-race attention has focussed on interstate raiders Buffering and Fast ‘N’ Rocking who head TAB betting at $4 and $5 respectively.

Two-time Winterbottom Stakes placegetter, Watermans Bay ($7.50), Lucky Street ($8), Magnifisio ($9) and Silverstream ($9) are the best of the locals.

Sujet, who boasts a record of five wins and three placings from 13 starts with prize money of $208,225, is having his third crack at big time racing.

He almost produced a memorable win on debut as a three-year-old when he ran a close second Petrol Power in the Listed Placid Arc Stakes (1200m).

He then pulled up with heat stress at his very next outing after beating just one runner home in the Group 3 Sir Ernest Lee Steere Classic (1400m).

Sujet has not raced since finishing powerfully to finish fourth behind Rebel King in the H.G.Bolton Sprint (1200m) at Belmont Park in July.

Miller said Sujet, who rounded out his return with a strong finishing run in a trial hit out, was primed for his Winterbottom Stakes assault.

“The query is the class but I just wanted to chance by arm,” said Miller on TABradio.

“When you look at his fresh form it is just unbelievable.

“He is so dynamic and you only get one shot at racing for one million dollars over here.

“Everything is perfect and it’s just a matter of if he can measure up to the grade.

“His fresh form is amazing so we will be having a go.”

Miller, who came close to taking out the Winterbottom with Platinum Rocker in 2012, said apart from Buffering, Saturday’s edition of the race is an open affair.

“Buffering is there but the class is nothing on what it has been in the past,” said Miller.

“So we’ve had a little win from that angle as well.”

Miller has entrusted champion Victorian jockey, Crag Williams, to weave his silky skills on Sujet.

Giving him added confidence is Williams’ perfect strike rate in Western Australia’s premier sprint.

Williams has had two rides for two wins: Ortensia in 2009 and again with the same horse two years later.

Sujet is $41 with the TAB.

Julio Santarelli