Admiration Express could attempt to secure the second-leg of a feature Kalgoorlie race double after her drought-breaking win in the Coolgardie Cup (1760m) on Sunday.
Trainer Jason Miller will let the dust settle before making any decision on going to the Boulder Cup (2100m) in a fortnight, but says he has options for his talented mare.
“I’m going to let the dust settle and see how she pulls up in the next few days,” Miller said on Tabradio.
“There is the Tabtouch Stakes in two weeks over the mile; that’s an option, but it also depends on weights and that.
“We’ll probably nominate and just have a look, have a look at both fields and see which we go.
“I’m not convinced she’s an out and out stayer, I think her best distance is between 1600m and 2000m.
“We’ll see how it unfolds in the next week, but she seemed to have handled the travel well and was straight into her feed last night.”
Admiration Express’ Coolgardie Cup victory came as a relief for Miller and ended a frustrating run of eight races without a win.
She was Miller’s star three-year-old who won the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas but lost her way after placing third in the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) last year.
Miller admitted there had been a few anxious moments with Admiration Express this preparation, but he never lost faith in his mare and was optimistic her class and ability would shine through again.
“I was starting to stress a little bit, but I knew how much ability she had,” Miller said.
“After the Oaks she pulled up with a fracture in the knee and then had a virus.
“I think she lost her way a little bit, but a lot of it was to do with confidence.
“She was knocked off course and it took a while to get her back.
“She got chucked into the deep end at the end of her three-year-old campaign and it took time for her to adapt to that rise in class.”
Admiration Express, ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter, dashed clear at the top of the straight and held off the fast-finishing run of $2.40 favourite, Starry Heights in the Coolgardie Cup.
Admiration Express, sent out a $2.70 chance, scored by a beck with a further 3 ¼ lengths to third placegetter, Red Cadillac.
Julio Santarelli