AS QUICKLY as regional racing etches closer to its expiry date, so too does the Gary Donaldson-trained Leigha Miller in continuing to enhance her reputation.
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The Art Major mare has notched up three wins and a swag of placings since the early-April move to region-only racing, with her latest victory coming at Lord's Raceway on Monday.
It was another high-point for the members of the Pacers Bendigo 1 and Pacers Bendigo 2 syndicates, and also for her Junortoun trainer, who has the four-year-old racing in brilliant form.
"She's developed into a nice mare - she's won three since COVID and the regional racing come in," he said.
"I think Gobsmacked won four and he's in Sydney now, so she would be pushing up there towards horse of the year if she can score another win or two.
"She's under-estimated a bit," Donaldson added, in reference to the mare's $16.80 win price.
It was career win number five for Leigha Miller, who was patiently driven by Rodney Petroff, and has finished outside the top four only twice in her past 12 starts.
Four of those wins and five placings have been achieved in 14 starts this season.
Donaldson was quick to forgive the mare for a rare placing back in the back field at Bendigo, four starts previous to Monday's win.
"That was just tactically a very bad race for her, she copped a very hard run," he said.
"They ran about 56:5 the first 800m and we tried to keep the lead and the other horse just attacked her.
"It dropped off at the 800 and Brian Gath came around on Edwin Bromac and he got into us. She got the 400m and was gassed ... she did too much work.
"Other than that, if you drive her nice she is always thereabouts.
"I think. in time, she can progress into a metro class horse at Melton. In time."
Donaldson said further wins on the mare's home track would also be a target in the event the Bendigo Harness Racing Club continues with its horse of the year awards, which have been put on hold for now during the regional racing period.
Exciting mare adds another win for Norman
FIFTYSHADESOFHAY continued the promising start to her racing career on Monday at Bendigo by notching her second win in five starts.
Trained at Charlton by Greg Norman and driven by master reinsman Brian Gath, the four-year-old mare hit the front half way down the Lord's Raceway straight before staving off a spirited challenge by Tayla French aboard Little Safari on the inside.
The official margin was a head, with Chronicles, for the trainer-driver combination of Brad Stevens and Anthony Crossland, 4.3 metres back in third.
The win was a second for Norman since the move to a revised East racing region late last month.
His previous winner came with Cee Cee In America at Bendigo on May 25.
Fiftyshadesofhay, by Badlands Hanover out of Supreme Classie, was having just her fourth start in Australia after starting her career in New Zealand.
She won first-up for Norman at Charlton in February before finishing ninth at Gunbower.
The mare returned to racing earlier this month with a sixth at Bendigo, but was quickly able to add her second career win on Monday.
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