Miller Says Nashville Cat Will Be Purring At Belmont

Jason Miller has identified promising unbeaten filly Nashville Cat as the best of his five runners at Belmont Park on Saturday.

Miller and co-trainer, Geoff Durrant will also saddle Brackets, Kennocha, Anitique Dream and Ideal Image at Belmont’s season-ending meeting.

But it’s Nashville Cat, who faces the biggest test of her short career in the Amelia Park Plate (1300m), that holds high appeal for the stable.

The Hard Spun three-year-old caught the eye on debut at Belmont Park in August, powering home from the back of the field to defeat Lord Devoutly.

She followed that up with another impressive effort in Saturday grade, racing closer to the lead and overhauling Speeding Comet over 1200m.

“She has done everything right and is still training well,” Miller said on the Sports Daily.

“She keeps on improving and I think the 1300m will suit her better than the 1200m.

“She has a good staying family behind her and definitely as the races get longer I think it should suit her.

“On form you would have to say she is the best of my runners.”

Nashville Cat, to jump from barrier six for Joe Azzopardi, is $4.80 on the TAB. Bonny Be Good is favourite at $2.70.

Miller said stable mate Ideal Image was ready to launch her return to racing in the Listed Birthday Stakes (1200m).

The More Than Ready mare has not raced since taking out the Group 3 La Trice Classic (1800m) at Ascot in January.

Ideal Image warmed up for her return with a trial hit out at Lark Hill, running fourth to Scales Of Justice over 950m.

“It was a pretty classy field but we went to the line under a pretty good hold,” Miller said.

“It would have been interesting if she saw a bit of daylight.

“We were going to give her another trial but she pulled up well and her work was good.

“She is ready to go to the races.”

Ideal Image has two wins and one placing from three first up attempts. Peter Hall takes the ride.

Miller believes luck will play a key part for Brackets who has drawn barrier 10 in the Crown Perth Opening Day At Ascot-Oct 15 Handicap (1000m).

The Due Sasso gelding won two starts back and ran 1 ¼ lengths third to Let It Slip at Belmont on September 10.

“He has drawn a tricky gate but it all depends on how he jumps,” Miller said.

“He is versatile and can go forward or sit back.”

Miller is confident Kennocha can improve and play a part in the Tabtouch Masters Nov 19 Nov 26 Dec 3 Handicap (1000m), despite an awkward gate.

The Lonhro mare, who won three in a line when last in work, ran a bold fourth to Volkoff when first up two weeks ago.

“She has a fair bit of speed and should improve on her first up run with a bit of fitness in her legs,” Miller said.

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