Energetic win at Beaudesert
TRAINER Brian Smith’s decision to divert from a Doomben race has delivered a Beaudesert Cup win for Monster Of Energy.
Smith praised the smart riding of jockey Chris Whiteley who held Monster Of Energy just behind the leaders during the opening stages before finishing strongly on the inside to beat Budget Bender by one length in the 1400m race on Saturday.
“It was a good ride by Chris,” the Eagle Farm-based Smith said.
“I thought he’d be a lot handier but they went mad in front and he rode him lovely and balanced.
“I was really happy with the ride and he is a great rider.
“He used his common sense and rode the horse in his gear.
“It’s a prestigious race and the owner’s really happy to have won a Cup race.”
Smith originally had Monster Of Energy set to race in the $60,000 Class 6 at Doomben – in a race he was confident the five-year-old could win – but a bad barrier (14) meant he changed course and headed to Beaudesert.
The win took Monster Of Energy’s record to five wins from 27 runs. Three of the gelding’s wins have come at Eagle Farm or Doomben and Smith is eager to head back to the city at his next run.
“He will go to town now and try to win a race there,” Smith said. “He will just go through his grades.
“He is racing good and looking as though he wants to settle a bit more which I’m happy with.
“He will get a mile now while he always wanted to go too hard before.”
It was Monster Of Energy's second run of his current preparation and Smith was always confident he would bounce back after finishing last in his first race back on the Gold Coast on June 7.
“He just got lost down there for speed and couldn’t go with them,” Smith said.
“I ran him too short (and) they just ran him off his feet the first one back.”