Switch to synthetic surface at Santa Anita could reduce fatalities says Miller

Peter Miller, the California-based trainer who has won four Breeders' Cup races in the last two years, believes a return to a synthetic surface would reduce the catastrophic breakdowns which have plagued Santa Anita and forced its temporary closure after an unprecedented 22 fatalities since the turn of the year.

The track's owners, The Stronach Group, this month announced it intended to ban the anti-bleeding drug Lasix and the use of the whip for encouragement.

However, Miller, speaking from Dubai where on Saturday he will saddle four runners, including his Breeders' Cup winners Roy H and Stormy Liberal, thinks management are focusing on the wrong issues.

Roy H (left): dual Breeders' Cup Sprint winner is favourite for Golden ShaheenCredit: Edward Whitaker

He said: "I think they're looking at the wrong thing. It's not the medication, it's not the whip, it's not all these things they're blaming it on. It's for the most part too much racing. There are other issues, but they don't want to address that we have too much racing – it's year-round racing."

He added: "Maybe the track surfaces aren't up to par, maybe we need to go to synthetic surfaces where there are fewer breakdowns. If the industry really cared about breakdowns we'd go back to synthetic surfaces. I know a lot of people don't like them but synthetic surfaces have been proven to be safer when it comes to avoiding catastrophic breakdowns."

Santa Anita, the jewel in the crown of Californian racing and ranked the second greatest racecourse in the world in a recent Racing Post series, did briefly replace the traditional dirt surface in favour of the synthetic Pro-Ride, which was used between 2008 and 2010.

Another course which abandoned an artificial surface in favour of dirt is Meydan, which plays host to the world's richest raceday on Saturday. Meydan initially had an artificial Tapeta surface when it opened in 2010 but replaced it with dirt in time for the 2015 Dubai World Cup.

The scene at Meydan on Tuesday morningCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Golden Shaheen is one of four thoroughbred dirt races on World Cup night and Miller will be represented by favourite Roy H, who was beaten in the race last year but has since retained his Breeders' Cup Sprint crown with a sensational performance.

Miller said: "If he runs his race, he’s better than these horses. He’s beaten these horses on numerous occasions and we travelled halfway around the world. We’re not competing in a home game so there is no such thing as a cinch, but if he runs his race, he’s the best horse and there is no doubt about it—but that’s an awfully big if."

Stormy Liberal and Belvoir Boy run in the Al Quoz Sprint over six furlongs on turf for Miller, while Grey Magician goes in the UAE Derby.

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