Big weight only worry for Victory Eight on Gold Coast today, says trainer

TRAINER Trevor Miller believes Queensland Summer Provincial Series leader Victory Eight can overcome a big weight to win heat two on the Gold Coast today.

Trainer Trevor Miller, who is chasing success with Victory Eight at the Gold Coast today. Photo: Tara Croser.

TRAINER Trevor Miller believes Queensland Summer Provincial Series leader Victory Eight can overcome a big weight to win heat two on the Gold Coast today.

Victory Eight won the opening heat of the series at Miller’s home track on the Sunshine Coast on November 5 to take the maximum 10 points on offer.

The four-year-old gelding could extend his lead when he runs in today’s Benchmark 75 Handicap (1200m) with apprentice jockey Adam Sewell in the saddle.

Victory Eight has been slugged with 60kg and will carry 58.5kg, thanks to Sewell’s 1.5kg claim.

It is the only thing of concern to Miller.

“He won well and they never missed him with the weight then either,” Miller said of Victory Eight’s last win with 58kg.

“He has improved and is going well. He has got to carry the weight, it’s the only thing I’m concerned about.

“There is nothing I can do about that. You either start or you don’t. If we get a few more points for the series we will be sitting pretty.”

The series is open to non-metropolitan winners, with each of the six heats carrying $20,000 in prizemoney before a $100,000 final at Doomben on December 30.

Miller said today’s race could be Victory Eight’s last heat but he will consider one more depending how the horse pulled up before targeting the Doomben final.

Victory Eight is a half-brother to the ill-fated Group 3 Toowoomba Cup winner Cylinder Beach.

He joined Miller’s stables early this year, arriving with a record of one win and two places from five runs in Victoria.

He has won four and placed twice in eight runs for Miller who could more than double the horse’s earnings through the current series.

Queensland Summer Provincial Series

PROGRESSIVE POINTSCORE

Victory Eight 10

Worthy Hero 8

Stonecast 7

Siliqua 5.5

Suggan Buggan 5.5

Hellaroo 4

Gypsy Secret 3

Apple Thief 2

Nakanai 1

She’s Worthy 1

REMAINING HEATS

Today: Gold Coast, BM75 Hcp 1200m $20,000

November 28: Rockhampton, BM70 Hcp 1300m $20,000

December 1: Ipswich, BM75 Hcp 1350m $20,000

December 12: Dalby, BM75 1200m $20,000

December 17: Sunshine Coast, BM75 Hcp 1400m $20,000

SERIES FINAL

December 30: Doomben, 1350m No Metropolitan Wins. Prizemoney: $100,000. Breakdown: $64,000, $20,000 $10,000, $4000, $2000.

PREVIOUS FINAL WINNERS

2016 Banda Spice (Jockey T. Angland, trainer S. Kendrick)

2015* Mercurian (M. Cahill/G. Bennett)

2014 Allknight Saint (R. McMahon/B. Herne)

* Gold Horizon first past post but disqualified.