New Zealand
Millar’s trio in fine fettle for Ellerslie assignments
Janelle Millar couldn’t have wished for a better lead-up to Saturday’s Gr.2 Trackside Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie with Final Return.
The New Plymouth trainer has the winning polish on the son of Reliable Man, who was successful last time out on the course in the Gr.3 Avondale Cup (2400m) and also claimed the Gr.3 Counties Cup (2100m) four runs back.
Final Return hasn't missed a beat in the interim and his accompanying stablemates have also done a treat.
The in-form Special Sakura takes aim at the Gr.2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic (1400m) and Laura's Legacy runs in the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) with Chris Dell to ride the trio.
"Chris knows the horses and what they're capable of. Anything can happen going into big races and we've been walking on eggshells all week, but everything has gone pitch perfect," Millar said.
"At this stage, it's all gone to plan and they are all peaking at the right time."
Final Return finished sixth in last year's edition of the Cup and tackling two miles again is the least of Millar's concerns.
"He's always showed us that the further he goes the better he is and he's very fit and a happy horse," she said.
"He's also tough and I don't think the trip will worry him whatsoever."
Millar can also draw confidence form the seven-year-old's family with his dam Kind Return, a daughter of Zabeel, who won on four occasions and finished runner-up in the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) and ran fourth in the Auckland Cup.
Her brother Respect was also a high-class stayer who numbered the Gr.2 Perth Cup (3200m) among his eight victories.
"Final Return looks well and he's fit and ready. I've done all I can and now so it's up to him and the jockey," Millar said.
Special Sakura showed her true colours last time out when she successfully stepped up to black type company to triumph off the front in the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m), the third win of her 10-start career.
"She's gone under the radar a bit, but we have always thought a lot of her," Millar said.
"She's thrown in a few awkward runs, but we have had problems with her stifles and since we've medicated them and found exactly what the problem is, we can work with it.
"Her work has been phenomenal lately and she is just so well."
Laura's Legacy finished fourth in the Gr.3 Eulogy Stakes (1600m) before running third in an age group event at Trentham and was then unplaced in the Gr.3 Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m) on the course.
"I liked her run last start, the horse in front of her was taking her line a bit and she was reluctant to take the gap," Millar said.
"Chris said to try the hood on her and I did in pacework, but she pulled too hard, so I've opted to put winkers on her.
"She's got a good turn of foot and has showed us a heap, so I'm expecting a good run from her."
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