Rejuvenated Simon Miller returns to saddle

By Jordan Gerrans

Reigning Albury champion jockey Simon Miller is ready to kick-start his new venture in Queensland after taking a short break from race riding to stabilize his weight.

The 39-year-old headed north to the Sunshine State alongside partner Fiona Sandkuhl.

Apprentice hoop Sandkuhl has transferred her indenture to Eagle Farm trainer Matthew Hoysted with Miller riding work for the stable for the last few months.

After sharing the Albury Racing Club jockeys premiership for the 2023-24 campaign with Danny Beasley, Miller gets the ball rolling in Queensland over the coming days.

He heads to Ipswich with a couple of bookings on Saturday before taking engagements at Warwick on Monday.

Miller will get down to 57kg to partner Stellar Lady for Hoysted in the Class 1 Handicap over 1100 metres on Saturday. 

After only taking a handful of rides since late August of this year, the formerly Riverina-based hoop says his body is feeling refreshed.

“I have been a bit heavy since I have got up here, that is why I have not been riding, but I am starting to get back into it now,” Miller said.

“Having been riding for a long time, it is good to have a couple of months off race riding.

“When you do it for so long and you are always wasting, it is good to ride track work for a little while and not have to worry about losing weight while enjoying yourself for a few weeks.

“I have been working on my weight the last two or three weeks – I prefer to do it that way, so it stays off.

“I want to try and enjoy my riding and not try and ride too light.”

Miller has averaged about 35 winners every season for the last decade, mainly riding on the provincial and country circuit in Victoria and New South Wales.

He also has city winners to his name as well as competing in a number of black-type events.

As well as riding Stellar Lady at Ipswich Turf Club on Saturday, Miller will also pilot Wonderful Rayray for Hoysted in the Class 3 Handicap over 1200 metres.

“I came up here to support Fi really but Matt suggested I get my weight down and get fit and he would start throwing me a few rides if they need a senior,” Miller said.

“It gave me a bit of a kick up the backside.

“He told me if I put in the work, there would be rides there.

“The two horses I have for Ipswich on Saturday, they are both in their right races.”

The 24-year-old Sandkuhl has found some momentum in her riding in recent weeks, grabbing a Gold Coast Polytrack double late last month before also nabbing a victory at Clifford Park.

Miller had his first Queensland ride aboard Deja Zou for Hoysted at the Sunshine Coast earlier this month.

He will partner the Zoustar gelding again on Monday at Warwick Turf Club in maiden grade while also riding Doing It for Lindsay Gough.

The Gough barn are one of the most in-form teams in the Sunshine State this campaign.

Gough is striking at above 20 per cent since the 2024-25 season commenced and has 12 winners to his name.

Doing It will debut in the Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap over 1350 metres after four trials over the last year.

Miller was in the saddle for her most recent trial at Eagle Farm last month.

“She works well,” Miller said.