Millennium Primed for Metric Mile

Friday, 06 September 2002 00:00

Uncertain track conditions have failed to diminish co-trainer Stephen McKee’s confidence in the chances of Millennium (NZ) (Prized) in the $50,000 Gr.3 Merial Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni tomorrow.

McKee would gladly have seen an easy to firm track for the Marton Jockey Club meeting, but is quite prepared to give his smart five-year-old his chance on a track that may well be worse.

"He might have already won races on heavy ground, but his best form in good class has been on easy to firm tracks," said McKee.

"I would just as soon had a good track for this, because there are a few in this field who won’t mind it wet."

"But having said that, he is very well and it will be interesting to get a line on him in this company."

If Millennium, who won his last start against moderate opposition at Ellerslie two weeks ago, races up to expectations, he could well step up another grade in Saturday week’s Glenmorgan Hawke’s Bay Challenge Stakes at Hastings.

That Gr.2 weight-for-age event is now probably off the menu for McKee’s champion mare Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun), their preference now being the Feehan Stakes in Melbourne on the same day.

Merial Mile acceptor Hail (NZ) (Stark South) is expected to be reserved for Hastings now that the weather has broken, but there is still abundant strength in Millennium’s Awapuni opposition.

Fellow northerners Real Vision (NZ) (Vision Quest), O’Malleys Boy (NZ) (Dance Floor), War Dancer (NZ) (Victory Dance) and Danzapride (NZ) (Danzalion) are all capable of winning.

However, the biggest single threat could come from Trentham gelding Irish Rover (NZ) (Kenfair), who returned to his best form with a courageous win at Hastings.

Other dangers include Miss Trust (NZ) (Corrupt), Rodin (NZ) (Masterpiece) and Ebony Boy (NZ) (Manntari), who can improve lengths on his last start effort on good ground.

Media Release - TNZ