Racing: Millennium enjoys trouble-free run on way to victory

Lee Tiley was determined to stay in front and out of trouble in the $50,000 Tauranga Stakes yesterday when combining with Millennium to post a determined victory at Gate Pa yesterday.

The 8-year-old has been a solid performer for Takanini-based trainers Trevor and Stephen McKee and made it back-to-back wins in the Group Three Classic, lasting by a long head from the solid closing Magnetism. A further three-quarters of a length away was Floydeboy.

Millennium was rated to perfection by Tiley, controlling the tempo of the race with the favourite Sedecrem sitting outside him.

Tiley kept the highly-regarded Magnetism trapped behind her in the trail for as long as possible in the home stretch, which proved to be the winning of the race.

When Magnetism's jockey Jim Collett worked his charge out into a challenging position one off the rails, Tiley had kicked clear of the field, and maintained a sufficient margin to grab the victory.

Millennium is a specialist on the right-handed track scoring five wins and two placings from 10 starts.

"He's a real honest horse who likes racing here at Tauranga and he relaxed in front today with Sedecrem sitting outside us," said Tiley after the win.

"I could hear the other horse (Magnetism) coming at us at the finish, but my fella kept kicking and giving everything." The likely improver from the race will be the fourth-placed Sedecrem, which finished less than a length from the winner after racing much handier to the speed.

Sedecrem is better known as a potent sprint finisher, but lost few admirers fighting on determinedly over the final 100 metres.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY