Never-say-die attitude prevails
Smedley again showed the dour side of his nature at Ruakaka where he successfully defended his ITM Whangarei Gold Cup title.
The rising nine-year-old regularly hits a flat spot in his races and partowner and trainer Clayton Stevenson emphasised that yesterday to his rider Jordan Nason.
“I said don’t give up on him, he always gets a second wind and he’ll keep coming,” Stevenson said. “It was Jordan’s first ride on him so we’re all really pleased.”
Smedley beat Candle In The Wind to take major honours in 2016 while Stevenson’s late father Dick prepared half-sister Letsgoparty to win the Cup in 2008.
Smedley enjoyed a cosy run on the fence and he responded to Nason’s urgings with a sustained finish that saw them triumph in a driving finish from the local hopes Kaharau, Zafrenzy and Greencast.
The gelding got home by a head and much to Nason’s relief as he lost an iron about 150 metres from the post.
Smedley has now won three times at Ruakaka to go with his five successes at Ellerslie and one apiece at Dargaville and Pukekohe Park.
Meanwhile, Brendon Hawtin produced his second winner in double quick time when Money Trail’s honesty was rewarded at Ruakaka.
The Waikato trainer had saddled the enigmatic Animator to score at Hastings last Thursday and his stablemate followed that lead yesterday, courtesy of a tidy ride from promising apprentice Hairi Marzuki.
“Animator should be in open company, he’s got that much ability but he’s got mental issues,” Hawtin said.
As planned, Money Trail settled behind the pace on the rail and Marzuki set him alight as the field fanned out in the straight.
Money Trail had two lengths to spare on Danger Dee, who ran on late to cut the front-runner Sacred Guru out of second money.