Norman Waymouth rode prolific winning two-year-old Rancher to many great wins in the early `80s and may have, as a trainer, unearthed his own star in Mister Milton.
Waymouth declared he was “going big time” with the son of Snippetson after he burst between runners to land his first win in Saturday’s John Moule Handicap (1100m) at Caulfield.
Mister Milton winning the John Moule Handicap at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
“I’ve always had a massive opinion of this horse,” Waymouth said.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the horse. I have put him in the best company.
“Unfortunately he has been in the wrong spot at the wrong time in some of his races.”
The Zeditave Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 26 will be his next target while the Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) is his major goal at Flemington on March 3.
“I am going big time. I am aiming for the Australian Guineas eventually,” Waymouth said.
Mister Milton, who was bred by Caulfield trainer Rick Hore-Lacy, cost Waymouth only $7,500 and had been winless in eight starts before Saturday.
He was placed at Flemington in July and finished last to Sepoy in the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in September, but Waymouth has never lost faith in the three-year-old.
“I wanted to try today to see if I would come back for the Zeditave Stakes with him and I think that’s where we will be coming,” Waymouth said.
Mister Milton is a chestnut just like 1982 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Rancher who was trained by Waymouth’s father Charlie.
Waymouth hopes that Mister Milton can take confidence from Saturday’s win.
“I was worried today with the distance,” Waymouth said.
“If it was 1200 I would have said he was unbeatable but being 1100 I thought he might have had a little bit of an edge off him.”
Mister Milton settled third and jockey Ben Melham persisted, eventually getting a run between runner-up Song Of The Bell and third-placed Rescue Mission to score by a length.
Melham said he was unsure if Mister Milton was top tier but added that Waymouth had to try to see if he could make the grade.
“He has run in some pretty handy races and now he has won a race and got some confidence under his belt he will improve,” Melham said.
AAP TURF
