In Brief
- Spreyton trainer David Miller has chance to finally win a Devonport Cup.
- Underplay leads throughout to win Golden Mile.
- Gelding likely to back up in Sheffield Cup.
Spreyton trainer David Miller has been trying to win a Devonport Cup for over a decade and it looks as if he finally has a horse that can realise his dream.
Underplay powered his way to a brilliant all-the-way win in the $30,000 Ladbrokes Golden Mile to earn ballot-free entry into the Devonport club’s showcase event to be run on January 8.
With Victorian-based jockey Jack Martin aboard, Underplay ($13) showed good early speed to land in front and, once settled, the seven-year-old gelding was rated superbly and went on to defeat Beaufort Lad ($7.50) by over a length with the favourite Dothraki Princess ($3.30) a distant third.
“I’ve had a few cracks at winning a Devonport Cup but without joy, so maybe this horse can give us that elusive win,” Miller said.
“I had hoped this horse would get to a Devonport Cup last season, but he got crook towards the end of his preparation and he didn’t make it.
“He’s done a good job leading up to this race, but he felt and looked terrific this past week, so I knew he was ready to run a big race.”
Miller said Underplay usually backs up well once he’s fit, so the gelding’s next target is the $50,000 Sheffield Cup (1650m) on December 22.
“He will run in the Sheffield Cup and that will have him in top order for the Devonport Cup.”