Trainer Stephen Miller has put his faith in talented stayer General Grant to help him complete a unique Goldfields treble in the next month.
After No Apology won the Coolgardie Cup (1760m) on Sunday, General Grant will carry Miller’s hopes in the Boulder Cup (2100m) and Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m).
Miller says General Grant validated a shot at Kalgoorlie’s premier staying races after finishing strongly to win by a neck in a 2100m handicap at Belmont on Saturday.
“He’s come through the run really good and if he can handle the track I think it will suit him,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“I think up to 2400m he can stay pretty good and he’s starting to learn, he can race on pace now.
“If he gets galloping room he can put himself into the race.
“It’s whether it’s all come too quick against the open class horses.
“But one thing in his favour he can stay pretty good.
“I think that puts him in pretty good stead.”
No Apology gave Miller six Coolgardie Cups, four as a trainer and two as a jockey.
The six-year-old, aided by a gun ride from Brad Parnham, broke through after three previous seconds at Belmont.
“He finished of nice and did the job really well,” Miller said.
“That’ll be it for him.
“He had a long break at his last prep and I think it done him the world of good.
“He came back in really good order.”
General Grant and No Apology were adeptly handled by Parnham who is riding at the top of his game.
Miller was quick to recognise Parnham’s contribution and lavished praise on the in-form jockey.
“He could ride anywhere in Australia,” Miller said.
“He’s a top rider.
“He seems to have a lot of confidence in me and I have a lot of confidence in him.
“I let him the know the horses are fit and what he can’t do with them.
“He (Brad) just oozes in confidence with me and it’s a pleasure to deal with him.
“We just gel really well.”
Meanwhile, Miller says Last Of The Line is on track for the Pinnacles carnival.
The Blackfriars gelding went around twice in the winter and before spelling won a 1600m handicap over Sluice Box at Belmont in July.
“He’s in work and about three weeks from trialling,” Miller said.
“We’re going to have a crack at getting him into the Railway.
“He won’t have too many lead up races, I think.
“He seems to have come back pretty good.
“He’s got to step up, but has been given plenty of time.
“I do think he’s a pretty good horse.”
Julio Santarelli