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Valour Road has done the groundwork and is in top shape to win the $1.5 million Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot, according to trainer, Simon Miller.
Simon Miller is just rapt to have Valour Road back racing competitively again and in contention for rich races after the gelding’s career appeared to be at the crossroads.
12-months ago Valour Road was destined for retirement, but after a change of heart by Miller the son of Frost Giant has returned with a new lease of life.
Valour Road won the Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) first up in September, ran a long-neck second in the Eurythmic Stakes (1400m) before defeating Northerly Stakes hero, Dom To Shoot in the Lee Steere Stakes (1400m).
Valor Road, a winner of 11 races and $1.7 million in prizemoney, bolted in to win a recent trial and completed a strong gallop at Belmont this morning (Tuesday) to top her off for Saturday’s second running of the Gold Rush.
Miller said he cannot fault Valour Roads’s preparation.
“He’s had a great time of it since his last win,” Miller told The Races WA.
“He had a soft trial last week and worked strongly into the wind this morning.
“He’s always been a powerful worker and is ready to go.
“We’ve targeted him for this race, so it’s not an afterthought.
“That’s probably why I’m more excited.
“I could have gone to the Railway, but he would have got top weight.
“He is suspect at the mile with weight.
“The Winterbottom was tempting, but I thought stick to your guns, run him in a 1400m.”
Unhappy with Valour Road’s action, Miller gave him a year off, the longest of his career and bypassed last year’s Pinnacles carnival.
After fair runs in the Roma Cup (1200m) and Belmont Sprint (1400m), retirement was considered if he did not show improvement.
“Those good horses don’t get afforded to have a proper spell throughout their career,” Miller said.
“That’s the negative to being a good horse because you go to carnival to carnival.
“His action was rough and he had been around the block enough and I didn’t have the heart to push him.
“The owners, who are marvellous people, were in agreeance and said put him first.
“Nine months later I thought if you were due to come in I have to get you right.
“Lo and behold his action was just unbelievable and the rest is history.
“Even now he’s thriving and loving it.
“He started with a bang winning a Magic Millions and Karrakatta Plate in his first two.
“To still be boxing on at eight is a credit to himself.”
Chris Parnham retains the mount on Valour Road.
The Damien Oliver Gold Rush barrier draw will conducted at a function in Perth at 5.30pm.
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