Popular Perth horseman Bernie Miller notched a career breakthrough success at Ascot today when quality stayer Aquinas won the listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m).

Ridden to perfection by Patrick Carbery, Aquinas got home in a busy finish to beat Brandy Lane by head.

Miller said Aquinas and Carbery were the perfect combination – no one knows his charge like the affable Perth based senior rider.

“The only instruction was, whatever you decide to do – that’s the correct decision and as you just saw – it was magnificent,” a delighted Miller said.

“He did a fantastic job. He rated him well. It was an excellent staying effort from the horse – it just shows what he can do.”

“They are a great little team. They appreciate each other. He’s been very good to us.”

Miller went into today’s race quietly confident that Aquinas would put his best foot forward and give him his first stakes race success as a trainer.

“I think it’s the best I’ve ever had him,” he stated moments after the win. “We’ll just get him over the next 48 hours and we’ll go from there and see what happens.”

Dreams of winning the state’s most famous race, the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day, were given a boost with the Tattersall’s Cup victory.

“We’ll go one step at a time – but hopefully we can get there (to the Perth Cup) for the crowd – he’s starting to get a bit of a following.”

“He’ll get the 24(00) no worries in the Cup,” he added.

Aquinas, purchased for $24,000 as a yearling at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, has now earned over $148,000 in prizemoney.

One of two stakes winners on the day for Blackfriars, Aquinas is one of three winners produced by the Grosvenor mare Lyric Grove.

She is a half sister to Tri Lyric – the dam of the stakes winners Global Win and My Mo Rally, in turn the dam of Group One winner Le Drakkar.

It is also the family of multiple Group One winner Heroicity.

Winner: Aquinas (Blackfriars-Lyric Grove)
Race: WATC Tattersall’s Cup LR (2100m)
Sold for: $24,000
Sale: 2005 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale
Vendor: Aburn Park
Buyer: Andrews Racing Stable
Earnings: $148,750
Owner(s): Boldline Enterprises Pty Ltd Syndicate (Mgr: Bernie Miller)
Trainer: Bernie Miller (Lark Hill)