Like the famed historic Italian automobile, Miller deems Amelia’s Jewel as his slick, fast, finely tuned equine machine.
Come Saturday, Miller will have to hand over the keys to his Ferrari as one of Australian racing’s successful partnerships draws to a classy exit.
After 15 starts, nine wins, four seconds, $3,426,050 in prizemoney, one Group 1, three Group 2s, two Group 3s and two Listed victories, it’s the end of an era for Miller and Amelia’s Jewel.
Western Australia’s pinup horse will run her final race for Miller in the Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide before she commences the next phase of her career under Annabel Neasham in Sydney.
Amelia’s Jewel is the most gifted horse Miller has trained and there’s no doubt he would love to go out on a high and claim his second win at the elite level after they formed a potent combination in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) on home soil at Ascot two years back.
It would be a fitting ending, but Miller has been around racing long enough and holds too much experience to be going over the top about Amelia’s Jewel bowing out in fairytale fashion.
Despite sentimentality and emotion surrounding Amelia’s Jewel’s final race under his care, Miller says it will be business as usual and he’ll be treating the race as any other.
“I’m just going in full throttle trying to win it,” Miller said to the Races WA.
“I’m just focused on getting it right for Saturday and hope to go out with a bang.
“It’s business as usual, there might be reflection when the dust settles.
“It’s all about rolling up and having fun and just enjoying it.”
Amelia’s Jewel goes into the Goodwood third up after running consecutive seconds in the Roma Cup (1100m) and The Quokka (1200m) in Perth.
Miller said Amelia’s Jewel had settled into her new surroundings perfectly after flying to Melbourne and floating to Adelaide last week.
“She settled in unreal,” Miller said.
“She settled in really good and arrived over in terrific order.
“She hasn’t missed any feed and is bright.
“She’s passed the first hurdle travelling over.”
Miller’s hopes of a midfield draw were answered with Amelia’s Jewel to jump from barrier nine in the $1 million Goodwood.
She faces 16 rivals and will be ridden by champion hoop, Damian Lane.
“If we could draw midfield it would be perfect,” Miller said.
Amelia’s Jewel, who wears blinkers in The Goodwood, holds firm $3.80 favouritism with Tabtouch.
Rival Perth galloper Oscar’s Fortune is next at $7.
It’s the last hurrah for Miller and Amelia’s Jewel in Adelaide.
Miller will go back home and continue to chalk up regular winners as Perth’s leading trainer after Saturday.
He’ll just be on the lookout for his next Ferrari.
