If ROY H runs his race, he wins, says trainer Miller
dubai — It’s been 15 months since the California wildfire killed five of Peter Miller’s horses. But the fire in him still burns as the American trainer — armed with four of his best horses — has arrived in Dubai in an attempt to earn his maiden Meydan victory.
Miller will field Breeders’ Cup winner ROY H in the Dubai Golden Shaheen while the Al Quoz Sprint will see Stormy Liberal and Belvoir Bay.
And Gray Magician, the threeyear-old, will vie for the UAE Derby glory.
Miller gets another shot at redemption in the Dubai Golden Shaheen as the formidable ROY H — after a disappointing third-place finish last year — starts as one of the big favourites in what is going to be a highly competitive race again.
“I respect all the horses. They are all good horses. It’s a tough race, but you know, I have got a two-time Breeders’ Cup champion. If he runs his race, he wins,” said Miller at a press conference on Monday.
“I mean he will be a strong favourite. But again if he runs his race, I mean, he didn’t run his race last year.
“It’s important that he gets a good start and runs his race. Like I said if he runs his race, he is the best horse. But, you know, it’s a big if,” he said.
“If it was at home, it would be a different story. When you ship all the way across the world and, you know, it’s a different place, different surface, different rules.
“But there is no pressure. The horse is a two-time Breeders’ Cup champion. He doesn’t have to prove anything to anybody. But, like I said, it’s a good field of horses.
“If he runs his race, he wins. But, you know, if ifs and buts were candies and nuts we’d all have Christmas all year long!”
Stormy Liberal, another Breeders’ Cup winner, will lock horns with the six-year-old mare Belvoir Bay in the Al Quoz Sprint.
“He (Stormy Liberal) is again a two-time Breeders’ Cup winner. He gives his all every time. He was a little unlucky last year,” said Miller, referring to Stormy Liberal’s second-place finish last year in Dubai.
“He had a little traffic issue. He is very consistent. Tries very hard.
“And Belvoir Bay, on her best day she can be brilliant. She has beaten the boys before. If it’s her day, I will not be shocked if she wins the race. We have got a great jockey in Flavien Prat who knows her well.”
Miller revealed Gray Magician’s performance in the UAE Derby will decide if he will be going to the Kentucky Derby.
“He is a very good horse. If he runs a super race, then we will certainly consider him for Kentucky Derby. So now he has to show us in Dubai that he belongs,” he said.
But Miller admitted winning a race in Dubai is one of the most difficult challenges for any trainer. “It’s a very strong field in Dubai. You know, that’s the beautiful thing about the Dubai World Cup,” he said. “It’s not easy. This is like the Breeders’ Cup. All the best horses in the world compete in one place.
“But I feel very blessed to have fine horses, especially Roy H and Stormy Liberal. To win one Breeders’ Cup is great. To win four — back-to-back with the same two horses — is a dream come true.”