Cover image courtesy of Sportpix
There is plenty happening across the Matthew Smith stable as the spring carnival gathers momentum, with the Warwick Farm trainer preparing a team that offers both immediate targets and plenty to look forward to further down the road.
At the forefront is Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), whose progression through the grades continued with an impressive victory in the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup. The 4-year-old will now head to the newly downgraded G2 Metropolitan Handicap over 2400 metres, with Smith keen to keep the Melbourne Cup dream alive as the son of Saxon Warrior (Jpn) continues to give the impression he has another level to find.
Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}) will head to Randwick for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap, while Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) remains firmly on the G1 The Everest trail and will be seen on Everest Day, whether that comes in the $20 million feature or the consolation. Behind the trio, Smith has a deep team of proven older horses and exciting younger prospects that look to make the mark.
Older horses
Headwall, 7-year-old gelding (Dream Ahead (USA) x Positive Quest {Not A Single Doubt})
“He ran well in the Shorts, they went very slow early and sprinted home very quick. It was a very good ride on the winner (Rachel King on Mazu).
“He (Headwall) did a really good job and he was only second-up off a big enforced break, so he is improving.
“He will get ready for Everest Day, whether that is in The Everest or The Consolation, either race is ideal for him.”
Idle Flyer, 5-year-old mare (Dundeel (NZ) x Progressive {Street Cry {Ire}})
“She ran great in the Seven Stakes, she did her own thing at the back, they went very slow and sprinted home really quick, and she did a very good job to get within two lengths of the winner.
“She has pulled up well, going great and will go for the Epsom Handicap nice and fit.”
Floating, 8-year-old gelding (Puissance De Lune (Ire) x Goujon {Snitzel})
“He has been off a long time, so I think he will improve again off another run.
“I’m not too sure on exact targets for him, but he may go towards the Hill Stakes or The Turnbull down in Melbourne.”
Golden Straand, 5-year-old horse (Snitzel x Krytelon {Falvelon})
“I think he is a really good horse, he goes good fresh, has a good record and is up to racing at a much higher class.
“He is a colt by Snitzel and I really like him, I think he could be a bit better over 1200 metres or 1400 metres also, he will be in stakes grade again pretty quickly.”
Aethelflaed, 6-year-old mare (Saxon Warrior (Jpn) x Chasing Mammon {Giant’s Causeway {USA}})
“She is still work in progress as she has had injury issues.
“She is a very good mare and was great the other day off a big break. She will run over 1900 metres this Saturday and then she will be ready for 2400 metres, that may be in Melbourne or even Queensland, but I’m looking forward to getting her back over that kind of distance.”
Portland (Ire), 6-year-old gelding (Dubawi (Ire) x Zagitova (Ire) {Galileo {Ire}})
“He just had a bit of a setback that has put us on the backfoot, his bloods were just a little bit off.
“He will run on Saturday, he has been trialling good. We are a little behind so maybe he goes for a race like the Hill Stakes after we get through his run in the Shannon Stakes this weekend.”
Prima Bella (NZ), 6-year-old mare (Per Incanto (USA) x Brah Spring (NZ) {Darci Brahma {NZ}})
“She has been very good, she is having a break now.
“She does need a bit of give in the ground, so she can have a nice little break and come back in the Autumn.”
World Alliance, 7-year-old gelding (Rubick x Global Anthem {General Nediym})
“He races on Saturday, it will be interesting as it will be his first time over 1400 metres, I am very happy with him.”
Gallery: Some of the older horses in Matthew Smith's stable
4-year-olds
Aethelwulf, 4-year-old gelding (Saxon Warrior (Jpn) x Bouboulina {New Approach {Ire}})
“He was very good at Newcastle in the Cup, he will go to The Metropolitan in a fortnight over the 2400 metres.
“He has pulled up very good from that run, he has gone through the grades in the right way and is improving all the time.
“I'm sure he will hit his ceiling at some stage, but he hasn’t got there yet and continues to do well between his runs.”
Fierceness, 4-year-old gelding (Fierce Impact (Jpn) x Rebel Miss {Krupt})
“He is a nice son of Fierce Impact that has taken a little while to get there but is going very well.
“He dug deep the other day to get the win at Canterbury and he may even get further I reckon. We will stick to the mid-week kind of races and look to step up to an off-season Saturday race at some stage.”
Cosmic Order, 4-year-old mare (Cosmic Force x Zinzi {Snitzel})
“She is a lovely mare that has taken a while to get her confidence around horses, but she is getting there.
“Her last two wins have been excellent and she may be another that I look for an off-season Saturday race at some stage.”
Gallery: Some of the 4-year-olds in Matthew Smith's stable
3-year-olds
Queen’s Gamble, 3-year-old filly (Anders x Gifted Queen {Zoustar})
“She was her worst enemy the other day in the Tea Rose, she just raced too aggressively. She is a lot better than that, her previous wins were excellent and she will be carrying on with an aim on the Flight Stakes next time out.”
Queen's Gamble | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
November Gold, 3-year-old colt (Pierro x November Morning {Dundeel {NZ}})
“He is back in work now, we had to ease up on him as he had been misbehaving in the gates. But he will be ready to trial soon.
“He is a bit of a typical Pierro, a little bit backward, and has gone shinny a few times, but he is a lovely type of a horse and I think he has an engine there.”
Queen Of Saxons, 3-year-old filly (Saxon Warrior (Jpn) x Chasing Mammon {Giant’s Causeway {USA}})
“She is a lovely type of filly, she trialled last preparation and then we put her out, she is going to take a bit of time but is a nice staying type like her sister (Aethelflaed).
“She will trial and race this preparation, I would really love to get a couple runs into her which will really set her up for the Autumn.”
