Smith to build on career-best year after 100-win season
By John Schell
Fresh from scoring a career-best 100 winners in the last racing season, Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith is set to carry on the success when he heads to Wyong with some strong chances on Thursday.
Smith bettered his previous season-best tally of 76 when racking up the century last week and said his Wyong team, headed by Deep Voyage in the Book Your Next Function At Wyong Race Club Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2100m), are set to carry on the winning form.
Racing heads to Wyong on Thursday.Credit: Louie Douvis
“Deep Voyage’s last run at Kembla Grange was good,” Smith said.
“He was coming out of a maiden win into a class 1 and he did a good job to run second. He’s only lightly raced but is progressive and he looks to get his chance to go on with the job at Wyong.”
Jockey Tyler Schiller, now a fully fledged hoop, sticks with Deep Voyage having been aboard for his last two starts.
“Tyler knows the horse well and he’ll give him every chance,” Smith said.
Smith has four kilogram claiming apprentice Rebecca Bronett Prag down to ride the resuming Serene Nic in the Tab.com.au Class 1 Handicap (1200m), with the lightly raced mare being first-up from a spell.
“The 1200m is probably a bit short for her, but I’d expect her to be doing her best work late,” said the trainer.
The stable will round out the day when Chain Of Gold contests the Wyong’s Next Race Day Sunday August 27 Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1350m).
“Chain Of Gold has been going good,” said Smith.
“You can forget his last run as the track at Taree got into the heavy range and that didn’t suit him.
“His runs before that this preparation were all good and if he can show a return to that form then it is definitely a winnable race for him at Wyong.”
Jason Collett will partner Chain Of Gold in the Wyong event.
“It’d be nice to get an early winner in the new season to maintain the momentum,” said Smith.
“Getting the 100 wins last season was a thrill, and now we have to continue in the same direction.”
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