Miller hopes to raise bar to Guineas with Adaminaby

By Glenn Davis

Cairns trainer Rodney Miller is excited about the future prospects of Adaminaby ahead of the gelding starting in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Friday.

Adaminaby had one barrier trial for Rockhampton trainer Jared Wehlow before he was moved on to Miller.

On race debut, he finished fifth in a 1250 metre maiden at Cairns last month.

He then easily won a 1250 metre maiden on his home track at Cairns on January 2.

“He was a bit unlucky in his first run after being knocked down,” Miller said.

“I put blinkers on him last start and he bolted in.

“I think he can be a Guineas horse in the winter if he takes the next step.”

The son of Spieth is dropping back in distance to 1000 metres on Friday which has Miller a little concerned.

“It’s not ideal dropping back in distance so he may find it a bit short but he’s got a big future,” Miller said.

“I’ll be happy to see him run on well late and then we might look at the three Guineas races in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay in the winter.”

Adaminaby will be Miller’s only starter in Townsville after he was forced to run stable mate Cleaver Greene in Atherton on Saturday.

Cleaver Greene was nominated for the Open Handicap in Townsville but a lack of transport meant he could only take one runner to Townsville.

“My truck is in getting fixed and it won’t be ready in time so I’m getting a lift down to Townsville with Fred Wieland and there’s only room for one horse,” Miller said.

“Cleaver Greene will now be running at Atherton on Saturday.”

Cleaver Greene won last year’s Townsville Dollars and has had to be treated with kid gloves by Miller since he took over training the five-year-old about 18 months ago from Alex Malliff.

“He’s a big horse who has had a few issues with feet problems and a tendon injury,” Miller said.

“I can’t give him too much work on the track so he does a lot of swimming and beach work.

“He’s going well but I think he might need a run or two more to find his top.

“He led them up last run but he knocked up badly.”

The Open Handicap for Cluden Park on Friday has still drawn a quality field with Krystin Allender’s Inching Closer, Bondi Beau from Lindsay Hatch’s North Queensland stable and Stephen Massingham’s Dunatun knocking on the door for another win.

Townsville trainer Ben Williams will also saddle up Break My Stride, who has finished second at his past two starts at Cluden Park.