Daryl Miller Wagin on Friday night a very happy man, with eight-year-old westbred gelding Just A Happy Man breaking through for his maiden win at just his sixth start for the new stable.
Being in the right place at the right time, Miller was offered the gelding after his last start of Ryan Eyre at Bunbury on June 15, with just a couple of cartons in it for the elusive first win.
Although the win wasn’t entirely a surprise for Miller, who was expecting Just A Happy Man to go well given that the field wasn’t overly strong, he did mention that he had been disappointed in the horse after his last start eighth placing at Bunbury just six days prior.
“Ryan decided to go back to the mines and didn’t have time to train horses anymore, so he dropped him off at mine after his last start at Bunbury,
“I took him on as I wanted a maiden for later in the year at Busselton,
“I didn’t expect him to turn around this quick.”
Attributing the improved form the of horse to a change of scenery and perhaps a change of training styles, Miller did mention that he doesn’t believe Just A Happy Man has really improved all that much, but a change of gear may have helped switch him on a little more, but he’s definitely looking forward to this Friday’s payday, with the impressive Westbred bonuses coming his way.
It was a great night out for Miller, with the Harvey based trainer heading to Wagin with three horses on board, walking away with a training double, a feat he mentioned doesn’t happen often for the 67-year-old.
“The whole team is performing at the moment, which is good.”
Miller currently has 11 horses in work, including a couple of two-year-olds yet to race, and a yearling he is currently breaking in, but it’s Ashima who is shining in his stable currently, who gave him his first winner on the night.
“She’s been very unlucky her last eight starts,
“She’s racing the best she’s ever raced.”
Ashima has been in Millers care since October 2022, racing in relatively consistent form since that time, with Fridays win her third career victory in 188 starts, and earnings of just over $69,000.
Ashima, Lucienne, and Star Of The Galaxy head to Bunbury tomorrow evening for the stable, but Miller isn’t confident of a repeat performance from Friday, with barrier draws likely to hold back Ashima and Star Of The Galaxy.
Disappointed with her recent performance, Miller will be looking to change Lucienne’s gear up, but if unsuccessful, she will likely head to the paddock for a spell after tomorrow night's run.
“She used to pull like buggery, and now she’s too quiet.”
It's been a great season for Miller, with the multi-generational trainer bringing up his first training quinella late last year with Imahero and Feeling Empathy taking the top two spots at Pinjarra with sons Dean and Mitchell on board in September last year.
Imahero delivered Miller his biggest success in 2022 when she won the $25,000 Western Crown 2YO Fillies race.
Image: Daryl Miller with sons Dean and Mitchell after their quinella at Pinjarra in September 2023. Photo Credit- Photography by Jodie Hallows
Ashleigh Paikos