Miles to bring some attitude to a Great clash

Reigning Victorian 2YO Trotting Filly Of The Year Rockinwithattitude (Aldebaran Eagle) has shown she can beat the boys, but can she overcome her older harness racing rivals in the Group 1 Haras Des Trotteurs Great Square at Albion Park on Saturday night?

The three-year-old daughter of Aldebaran Eagle’s last start authoritative win in the NSW Trotters Derby provided trainer David Miles with enough evidence to make the trek north for the Queensland Constellations Carnival.

“If I didn’t think she was a live chance I wouldn’t be bringing her,” Miles said en route to Brisbane earlier this week.

However, Miles is under no illusion as to the magnitude of the task of taking on outstanding four-year-olds Arcee Phoenix ($2.30 fav) and Courage Stride ($3.60).

“The jump from three-year-old to four-year-olds is tough,” he said.

“Arcee Phoenix has been well placed by Chris (Svanosio) and just keeps winning, while Courage Stride beat the free-for-all trotters at his last start.”

Armed with good gate speed, Rockinwithattitude is well placed to find the early lead from her favourable barrier (two) and Miles is keen to retain the front running.

“If we find the lead I will be holding it as her times suggest that if she runs to her best she will be close to them at the finish,” he said.

Rockinwithattitude rated 1:57.9 in winning the Group 1 Vicbred Super Series (2YO Trotting Fillies) Final in December last year.

Saturday night will be the first of three consecutive outings as Rockinwithattitude attempts to build on her picket fence form line of five wins from her past five starts.

“She has the Oaks and the Derby to come, and in some ways the Queensland Derby may even be tougher than the NSW Derby,” he said.

“James Rattray’s horse London To A Brick is a serious horse and won’t be easy to beat as he will be on Saturday night.”

Miles will also take the reins behind Charlene Gusman-trained Hes Charlies Angel in the Group 1 $350,000 The Rising Sun, with the four-year-old drawing alongside fellow Victorian Cobber on the second row.

Bookmakers have installed the brilliant local four-year-old Leap To Fame as the $1.40 favourite despite his outside front row draw.

Geoff Webster believes Cobber can figure in the finish should the race be run at a genuine tempo.

“I hope they go crazy early as a few of them will want to get in front of the favourite and be the one to finish on his back when he works to the front,” Webster said.

Cobber completed a hat-trick of wins when he sat parked at Melton a fortnight ago and Webster attributes the four-year old’s career-best form to a change in gear.

“He used to wear spreaders and I took them off him three months ago, and he has matured as well. He’s getting better with each run and if he gets a nice cart into the race, he is capable of being in the placings,” he said.

Webster admits he is looking beyond the carnival with an eye to the future.

“The Inter Dominion is in Brisbane later in the year and it’s a good chance to test the waters,” he said.

For complete race entries, click here.

by John Dunne, for Harness Racing Victoria