Miller is adamant Saint Bro up to task
Inexperience won't hold Saint Bro back in today's $100,000 Fairetha Stakes (1400m) as trainer Simon Miller looks to get a guide on the promising galloper's WA Guineas prospects.
Miller has thrown Saint Bro into the deep end in the Fairetha, taking on some of WA's top three-year-olds after just one race start.
But his impressive debut win - a one-length 1200m victory over Lost Heritage at Ascot - convinced Miller to test him at Listed level.
Saint Bro, who also flashed his potential with two eye-catching trial wins, is rated highly by the Aquanita stable.
However, he faces a big test against the likes of feature winners Petrol Power and Terror Force, Coruscation and Ihtsahymn.
"It's definitely a rise in class, but he has the ability to overcome it," Miller said.
"The only thing he lacks is race-day experience.
"It might be throwing him in too quick against more experienced opposition, but he's got ability.
"He's a big, strong horse and that's why we went straight into a 1200 first-up and on to the 1400 now. He's gone on with it since his first run and he's drawn to get a good run."
Saint Bro drew ideally in barrier two in the capacity field of 16 and will be ridden by Patrick Carbery. He is the TAB's second favourite at $6.
Miller is aiming to continue his form reversal after posting a treble last Saturday, including the Asian Beau Stakes with Platinum Rocker and Burgess Queen Stakes with Miss Rose De Lago.
He is gunning for another feature double, with classy mare Darlington Abbey set for today's $250,000 WAROA Lee-Steere Stakes (1400m).
Petrol Power is the Fairetha favourite at $4.
He is also the early $6 favourite for the $400,000 WA Guineas (1600m) on November 23.
Trainer Jim Taylor believes Petrol Power will run a strong 1400m if he repeats his Belgravia Stakes (1200m) performance.
The talented son of Snitzel ran on powerfully from eighth on the turn to finish a close-up second to Arcadia Rose.
"We're looking at the Guineas and that's why we rode him a bit quieter," Taylor said.
"In another stride or two he would have won. If he repeats that run, the 1400 won't worry him.
"It looks a nice race for him. He should be competitive."
Petrol Power has drawn well in barrier three. He drops 2kg to carry 56kg and again will be ridden by Jason Brown. Taylor and Brown will chase a feature double, with last-start Ascot winner Black Uma set for the $100,000 Ascot Gold Cup (1800m).
Black Uma's draw in barrier 16 has dented the Bullsbrook horseman's confidence.
"He'll probably have to go back from that barrier and need luck," Taylor said.
Black Uma is the $8 second favourite for the Gold Cup.
Angel Of Mercy, a brilliant winner of the Northam Cup (1600m) by five lengths, is the hot $2.60 favourite.
