.
Quality sprinters First Among Equals and Caipirinha will be the flag bearers for trainer Simon Miller next weekend as he attempts to claim a feature interstate double.
First Among Equals will contest the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville in Adelaide while Caipirinha tackles the Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Ascot.
Caipirinha continued her sparkling return to racing and made it two wins from as many starts in the Tabtouch Handicap (1000m), holding out Delicate Miss.
Ridden by Joe Azzopardi, Caipirinha shot to the lead on jumping and although the runner-up was closing fast, she held on to score by a neck. The River ran third.
Caipirinha, who won last year’s Listed Placid Ark Stakes (1200m) and Listed Belgravia Stakes (1200m), is closing in on $300,000 in prizemoney.
The Nicconi filly gave Miller the second-leg of a double after Rubia Miss shed her maiden status in the Belmont Community Trophy (1200m).
Miller said Caipirinha had run a top Roma Cup trial and would have no problems on the quick seven day back up.
“We nursed her along a bit mindful that we have the Roma Cup and then that will be her done for this campaign,” Miller said.
“She is a high-quality filly and we have always had an opinion of her, throwing her in the deep end as a baby.
“The back-up won’t worry her as I took her from a mile back to 1200m over the carnival and she demolished them.
“She is up to them and will get the weight relief in the Roma Cup, I think it’s a challenge she will thrive on.
“The rest of them will be wanting to bring their best because she is rocking along.”
Miller confirmed Victorian hoop Luke Nolen had been booked to ride First Among Equals in the Goodwood next week.
The Exceed And Excel gelding resumed in last weeks Listed Northam Stakes (1100m) and impressed when defeating Madassa.
Meanwhile Miller has high hopes for Rubia Miss after she ran home strongly to overhaul erratic pacesetter, Epic Grey, by 1 ¾ lengths.
“She is just a really good filly who will want further,” Miller said.
“She will end up being a player at the summer carnival.”
Julio Santarelli