Floki talk of town

FLOKI, the talk of NSW country racing after winning his debut by nearly nine lengths, is out to maintain the perfect start to his race career at Muswellbrook today.

Trainer Benjamin Smith says the exciting Floki has continued to improve and is a definite starter in the Vancouver at Coolmore Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

“I did nominate him for a race at Hawkesbury on Thursday but we will go to Muswellbrook (today). This race suits him,” Smith said.

“He worked with company last Tuesday and showed to me he has really gone on with it since his first run. He has definitely improved.”

This spells trouble for Floki’s rivals today because the gelding could not have been more impressive on debut at Scone over 1000m this month.

In an explosive effort, Floki showed speed then accelerated clear to win by a huge margin, breaking 59s for the trip, including a final 600m sectional of 34.48s even though rider Josh Adams didn’t push the gelding right to the finish.

“Floki has a fair bit of promise,” Smith said. “They have to do it out of maiden grade, that is the thing. But I’m confident he will be hard to beat again.

“He’s got the pedigree and type.

“He didn’t show a lot early days, he was very lackadaisical.

“It didn’t take long for him to start showing something.

“I want to get this Muswellbrook race out of the way, then we can head to town with him.”

Floki takes on another emerging sprinter Final Frontier, who also bolted home with a maiden at Taree this month.

But Final Frontier’s trainer Paul Perry was guarded when asked if his gelding could beat Floki today.

“I thought Floki looked outstanding at Scone,” Perry said.

“Final Frontier has trained on well but it will be tough to beat Floki.”