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Micalong could provide a prelude to a special celebration for Canberra trainer Mick Miladinovic and his owners if he wins Sunday’s $35,000 Bega Cup at the Sapphire Coast
Micalong is raced by the Groves family and is part of a family bond with Miladinovic.
Miladinovic’s son Peter is engaged to syndicate head Andrew Groves daughter Kate, also a part-owner of Micalong.
“It looks like I’m going to be a father-in-law,” Mick Miladinovic said.
“The Groves family are all lovely people. It would be great to win another cup for them.”
Hailing from Tumut, the Groves family and Miladinovic celebrated when Micalong won the Tumut Cup (1400m) second up two starts back on January 11.
“It was like winning a Melbourne Cup for the family,” Miladinovic said.
“It was a great thrill for them. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Miladinovic picked out the Bega Cup specifically for Micalong as he heads towards the $200,000 Canberra Cup (2000m) on March 9.
“He’s got to show something before then but the Canberra Cup is the race we’re aiming at,” Miladinovic said.
“It was a good win at Tumut and the big long straight at the Sapphire Coast will really suit him.
“He’s a big horse whose best runs have come when he comes from behind and goes around them down the outside.
“He’s not at his best on small, turning tracks.
“Once he winds up he’s like a steam train.
Micalong followed his Tumut Cup win with a fifth to Hot Alert over 1550m at Canterbury on January 24.
Miladinovic will be hoping for similar luck to his last visit to the Sapphire Coast on January 2 when he saddled up a winning double with Darbalara and Serb Candy.
On Saturday at the Sapphire Coast Canberra trainer Rado Boljun hopes months of planning bears fruit when Rich Tycoon resumes in a Class 2 over 900m.
“I picked this race out a long time back. I want to give him an easy kill before stepping him up in grade,” Boljun said.
“He goes very well first up.”
The four-year-old gelding by Tycoon Ruler was bred by David Bartholomew, a part owner who hails from Sri Lanka and runs a large coffee business.
Rich Tycoon hasn’t raced since finishing down the track over 1000m at Canberra on November 5.
The gelding has two wins and two placings from eight starts and a first-up record of two wins and a second from three first up attempts.
To fit Rich Tycoon for Saturday’s engagement Boljun gave the gelding a jump out at Canberra.
“He won the jump out against open class horses,” Boljun revealed.
“It looks the right race for him to kick off in. He’s ready to go.”
Boljun admitted growing problems had hampered Rich Tycoon.
“He’s always growing,” Boljun bemoaned. “That’s why he’s only had short preparations.
“This time in he’s a much stronger horse. He’s starting to put it all together."
