Smith’s fortunes to take turn for better at Oamaru
INFORM trotter Highland Star could help Rangiora driver Gavin Smith turn around his fortunes at Oamaru tomorrow.
Smith was dealt a big blow when the career of his stable star, Great Things Happen, was put in jeopardy. The giant trotter was diagnosed with a suspected broken splint bone and has been ruled out of racing for the rest of the season.
It could even end his racing career.
‘‘I had Xrays done,’’ Smith said.
‘‘That showed the fracture and now we need to look at things a lot more closely and get some expert opinions.
‘‘If it becomes an issue with the suspensory [ligament] it may be terminal, or not worth bringing him back again if it’s likely to be a problem again.
‘‘He’s been a great horse to us and he’s already been through a lot with various other issues.’’
Smith’s trotting fortunes look much brighter for the Oamaru meeting. He will steer Highland Star for trainer Ron Paterson in race 8. The squaregaiter looks brilliantly suited to the 2000m standingstart conditions of the race.
Highland Star has been first past the post in his past standingstart trots over sprint distances.
He was relegated from first to fifth at Orari two starts ago but went on to win emphatically at Rangiora in his next start.
West Melton trainer Ken Ford lines up two inform trotters against Highland Star.
Zsa Zara and Rocknpop have drawn handily in barriers 4 and 6 respectively.
Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson also has two horses in the race. Both Davey Mac and Majestic Connies look set to have to work into the race after starting from the unruly position.
SYDNEY: Fourtime Cox Plate winner Winx has got through a final tuneup unscathed in preparation for her return to racing in the group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick tomorrow.
Preparing for her final campaign, the 7yrold mare gave a glimpse of her trademark speed as she galloped down the Rosehill straight yesterday morning.
But it almost did not go ahead.
‘‘There was a fire at Rosehill [and] a bit of smoke around,’’ trainer Chris Waller said.
‘‘I was just constantly thinking do we bring her out, or do we abort this morning’s media call?
‘‘But fortunately there was a little bit of a break in the smoke and we got her to breeze up the straight perfectly.’’
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman gave Winx his tick of approval, saying she had made significant strides in her fitness over the past month.
Bowman insisted it was business as usual despite Winx nearing the end of her unprecedented career.
‘‘I always look at it as a stepping stone towards the rest of her preparation.
‘‘I guess there is that little element of unknown because she hasn’t raced since the Cox Plate. But all signs that she’s shown us are that she’s ready to go.’’
Winx is aiming to extend her winning streak to 30 and claim a third Apollo Stakes. She won the 1400m race in 2016 and 2017.
She will have to get past seven rivals to do it, five of them from Waller’s yard. — AAP