Miller chases Ascot feature double

Trainer Stephen Miller is pleased with the progress of Sniparoochy and says the speedy mare is ready to launch a new campaign at Ascot on Saturday.

Sniparoochy showed she was on track for her first-up return in the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes (1200m) after breezing through a Lark Hill trial.

The four-year-old travelled strongly for rider Lucy Warwick and showed her natural speed to accelerate in the run home after sitting outside of Metallon.

Sniparoochy is out to secure a second stakes victory after showing qualities to lead from start to finish in last November's Listed Jungle Mist Classic (1200m).

Sniparoochy's one length defeat of Baby Paris was a campaign peak and her fourth straight victory after going back-to-back in the winter at Belmont.

The Snippetson mare is back at the races after she ran 15th of 16 when testing her Group 1 credentials in the Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) four months back.

"She is going ok and it was a good trial," Stephen Miller told The Races WA.

"She has done well since then.

"She'll run in the Cyril Flower and then the Pinjarra Classic (1300m).

"Then we'll see how goes with them two runs.

"I expect her to run pretty well."

Miller is on the hunt for a feature double on the weekend with Saintorio slated to start in the Listed Challenge Stakes (1500m).

Last campaign Saintorio won the Lee Steere Classic (1400m) after a gallant third behind Amelia's Jewel and Bustler in the WA Guineas (1600m).

Saintorio tackles the Challenge Stakes second-up after he faded to sixth in the Breeders' Classic (1400m) at Pinjarra two weeks ago.

Miller expects him to strip fitter.

"He was pretty much underdone," Miller said.

"He's trimmed up a bit since then.

"I think he can run a forward race."

Miller hasn't completely ruled out a Melbourne campaign if Saintorio runs a blinder.

Following a successful Pinnacles carnival, the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington next month was mooted as a target race.

"The only race for him there is the Guineas," Miller said.

"But he would have to win convincingly on the weekend to warrant going.

"There's a slim chance of him going if he does well on Saturday."

Aside from Sniparoochy and Saintorio, Miller is excited to let loose Auspicious for her first official outing.

The I Am Invincible two-year-old filly will debut after two eye-catching trial wins.


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