Pair of Strong Chances for Miller at Mackay Today

Trainer Rodney Miller hopes at least two of his three runners at Mackay today will provide punters with a return, reports racingqueensland.com.au. The very consistent Lassiter's Lode (Star Witness-Lassiter's Cat, by Tale of the Cat) runs in the first, and with three wins, six placings and a fourth from his ten starts, he ran third at his last start over 1600m. "He's very consistent and stepping up to 1800 metres will really suit him," Miller said. "I think he will make a Cups horse during the north Queensland winter carnival and a race like the Cairns Cup looks ideal." Lassiter's Lode had his first two starts (winning on debut) for the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable before being purchased by Chris Jorgensen and sent to Miller. The trainer also has Helmaz (Helmet-Littlemiss Sandown, by Encosta de Lago) in race four, and the last start winner has had five starts for Miller since being moved on from Mark Kavanagh in Melbourne. "I think he'll make a Country Cups horse as well but he'll go through his grades first," Miller said. "He's done well since his last win in Townsville and I think he can win again. I'm sure he'll run 1600 metres easily and he should eventually get 2000 metres." Making his first start for Miller is Ibini (Commands-Chaste, by Lonhro) who will run in Race 6. "I don't know a lot about Ibini but he's been working well and his form before I got him was very good," Miller said. "Two would be nice but three winners would be better." Ibini won four times for previous trainer Scone-based Brett Cavanough.