Racing: Long journey for group one glory may end in Guineas

BRISBANE - It's been a long journey but former New Zealand hobby trainer Roger Milne is hopeful Captain Sonador can finally fulfil his group one dream in the Randwick Guineas on Saturday.

Milne, 59, is growing in confidence daily with the son of Shamardal who confirmed a start in the 1600m feature with an eye-catching third to Monton in last month's group two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill.

"He's just maturing now and everything is starting to fall into place with him," Milne said yesterday.

"I've stabled him at Warwick Farm and with the rain we've received lately I'm hoping the sting will be out of the track for Saturday. His run in the Hobartville was very good. He had a wide draw and the track bias was against him when he got further back than we wanted.

"We came to Sydney with the idea that if he didn't measure up we'd go straight back home and get ready for the Brisbane winter carnival.

"We've tested the waters now and he's shown he's up to the class. I only just nominated him today for the Derby but I won't make a decision whether he starts until later.

"If he runs in the Derby he'll need to start in the Rosehill Guineas but I won't know if he'll go that way until after the Randwick Guineas."

Milne came to Queensland 14 years ago after accepting a position as stud manager for Twin Springs Stud just outside Toowoomba.

"I was employed at Twin Springs for nearly 13 years when I was offered a job about 18 months ago to train for Greg Wagner at Bahram Stud," he said.

"I've got my own training track at the stud and we've got around 20 horses in work."

Milne's interest in training started when he lived in Gore.

"I was only a hobby trainer and mucked around with a few horses over there until I got the job with Twin Springs," he said.

Milne has tried, unsuccessfully, many times to win at the elite level but to date his best victories have been at listed level.

"I've had a number of group one runners and it'll be a dream come true if I can win one," he said.

Milne is no stranger to sending horses away to Sydney to compete.

"I sent Carmelina to Sydney and she ran second in an [group three] Adrian Knox Stakes," he said.

"Unfortunately, she broke down when she ran in the AJC Oaks next start. I've had a few group one runners in the past, including the Stradbroke and Queensland Oaks, but I haven't won one - yet."

- AAP