Miller Takes Road To Karrakatta Success
14 April, 2018
Thoroughbred
Valour Road has become the third horse to complete the Magic Millions Two-Year-Old Classic-Karrakatta Plate double, with an all the way win in the Group 2 feature at Ascot this afternoon.
The Frost Giant gelding was an upset winner of the Magic Millions event at Pinjarra in February, and was having just his second career start in today’s $500,000 event.
Trainer Simon Miller had five runners in the Karrakatta Plate, but couldn’t separate them during the week, but it was Valour Road who delivered him his third success in the race after Night War (2011) and Whispering Brook (2016).
Jockey Aaron Mitchell sent Valour Road to the lead from barrier seven, while Perth Stakes winner Chix Pic settled to his outside.
Lady Cosmology, who narrowly started favourite, sat on the back of Chix Pic, and had every possible chance to run the stablemate down, but she had to settle for second and made it a quinella for the Miller stable.
An emotional Miller said it was a victory all of his team could enjoy.
“It’s a team effort,” he said.
“This is the race I want to win every year.
“Everyone plays their part, and when it comes together, it is very rewarding.”
Miller said he was excited at what all of his Karrakatta Plate runners could produce in the future, particularly Valour Road
“He’s very good,” he said.
“To go first-up into the Magic Millions speaks volumes of him.
“He’s a good horse.”
Valour Road joined Lucky Street (2015) and Lucy Mae (2017) as the only horses to complete the Magic Millions-Karrakatta double.
Miller said he would give Valour Road the chance to add the Group 3 WA Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) to his two feature wins.
Steve Wolfe went close to recording his third Karrakatta Plate victory, with Lordhelpmerun storming home for third, while Bam’s On Fire will join Valour Road in the Sires Produce Stakes after her fourth placing.
Tim Walker