Perry coy on crashing Millennium party
A typically understated Paul Perry is not getting carried away with the chances of Pandano crashing the Inglis Millennium party as the veteran Newcastle trainer plots a boilover in the $2 million race.
Impressive debut winner Pandano has been the big shortener in fixed odds markets leading up to the inaugural Millennium and is a clear third pick behind crack colts Dawn Passage and Accession.
Pandano thrashed his moderate rivals in a Newcastle maiden on Australia Day, but Perry thought enough of the Dundeel colt to throw him straight into the deep end in the sales restricted race.
But while there is a growing sense Pandano might be the spoiler in what many have declared a race in two, Perry was doing his best to keep a lid on the hype over his $130,000 yearling out of Snitzel mare Milanesa.
"He's a nice horse," Perry said. "We liked him at the sales and this is a big test for him. He couldn't really do any more than what he did on debut. He went through his gears nicely but I still think the two colts will be hard to beat.
"My bloke has drawn well and he's had the right education behind him. He's just a nice horse."
Perry could have been forgiven thinking Pandano might have struggled to secure a run in the Millennium a few weeks ago, but a field of 15 will face the starter for the first running of the race.
"I always thought he would get a run and it was just a matter of getting him ready for the race," Perry said.