Mr Miller on Epsom mission

Exciting four-year-old Mr Miller (NZ) (Alamanzor) will take another step towards a potential Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) tilt when he lines up at Rosehill on Saturday.

The lightly-raced son of Almanzor will contest the Bankstown Sports Handicap (1500m), with Tommy Berry taking the ride as trainer Chris Waller attempts to lift the gelding’s rating sufficiently to secure a place in the A$1.5 million feature at Randwick on October 3.

Mr Miller created a big impression when resuming over 1400m at Warwick Farm last week, cruising to a two-and-a-half-length victory under James McDonald.

The performance took his record to two wins and two seconds from just four starts since joining the Waller stable and reinforced the high opinion held of him by his connections.

“He was awesome first-up,” Waller said. “It is a quick turnaround in only 10 days, but he didn't have a tough run at all.

“He's an Epsom horse, and that is why we are running on Saturday. We have got to try and get his rating up and get some prizemoney in the bank as well.”

Prominent owner Ozzie Kheir, who heads the ownership group, is equally enthusiastic about Mr Miller’s prospects, although he acknowledged the gelding faces a race against time to qualify for the Epsom.

“I think if he gets in, he will start top five in an Epsom market,” Kheir said.

“I don’t want to get too carried away, because he has only won a Benchmark 72, but there has been a lot of hype about him.

“He is running on Saturday, and I think he will go out and just win. He needs to get his rating up.

“We are rushing to get him there and he is probably a 50-50 chance of actually getting into the race. He is a nice horse and we have a big opinion of him.”

Bred by Graham and Helen-Gaye Bax of Blandford Lodge, Mr Miller is by Cambridge Stud stallion Almanzor out of the winning Pins mare Miss Miller.

He was offered through Blandford Lodge’s draft at the 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale at Karaka, where he failed to meet his $80,000 reserve.

Mr Miller subsequently remained in New Zealand and was purchased privately by Kheir and his partners after catching the eye in a Taupo trial before joining Waller’s Sydney stable.

Meanwhile, Kheir said a decision on the future of fellow former New Zealand-trained galloper Leica Lucy (NZ) (Derryn) is imminent.

The daughter of Derryn has been multiple Group One-placed since joining Waller, including finishing runner-up to Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), but has had her progress hampered by ongoing issues.

Prior to transferring to Australia, Leica Lucy enjoyed an outstanding three-year-old season for New Plymouth trainer Robbie Patterson, winning the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m) along with multiple Group Two races.

“She has just had issues from day one. Chris has had to manage that. It is probably why she doesn’t seem to run straight,” Kheir said.

“The decision we are making at the moment is whether we push on with her to the autumn or retire her.

“She has been a good horse for us. She has won a Group One and a couple of Group Twos, so we can't complain about what she has done for the group.”