Trainer Jason Miller flagged an interstate campaign for Admiration Express after she raced away to a dominant win in the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) at Pinjarra on Saturday.
The five-year-old mare, starting at $5 and ridden by in in-form jockey Lucy Fiore, had the race shot to pieces inside the final 200m when she skipped clear in the straight.
Runner-up Buckets Ridge came hard late but was never in serious threat of chasing down Admiration Express while Ginger Baker held on for third after leading.
Race favourite, Western Empire, out to win the Hyperion Stakes-Strickland Stakes double, ran on solidly for fourth after turning for home in last position, but was no threat to the winner.
Admiration Express obtained her second victory at Group 3 level after taking out the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) when again in the expert hands of Fiore.
Her other big race scalps include the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) and the Listed Coolgardie Cup (1760m) before a near boil over win in last year’s Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) when runner up to Light Infantry Man.
Admiration Express, who is fast closing in on $1 million in prizemoney, continued Miller’s prolific record in the Strickland Stakes as trainer and jockey.
Notching his fourth win in the weight-for-age feature, he’s super keen to go east with Admiration Express, targeting Melbourne’s autumn carnival next year.
“She’s a little superstar,” Miller said.
“Ever since her three-year-old career she’s always nearly raced in group and listed races.
“She’s done a really good job and an awesome result.
“Obviously the Northerly and Railway are on the radar again, but in the autumn, I had been thinking about her and Bonjoy, taking them over and having a go over there.”
Bonjoy, a son of boom local sire, Maschino, stamped his Ascot carnival credentials last preparation when winning three straight races, highlighted by the Listed Starstruck Classic (1600m) in December.
Admiration Express reached her winter grand final after running in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and finishing an eye-catching third in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m), turning the tables on Western Empire.
The daughter of My Admiration was Miller’s third Strickland Stakes training triumph after previous wins to Prince Turbo (2022) and Naughty By Nature (2021).
His name was first inscribed on the Strickland Stakes trophy as a jockey when he combined with Dedicated Miss in 2004.
Fiore celebrated her second success after riding Material Man for her trainer-father, Justin Warwick seven years ago.
Julio Santarelli