By Neil Evans
He’s long headed something of a quiet achieving stable, but more than a few bigger yards are suddenly looking over their shoulder.
Warwick Farm-based trainer Matthew Smith takes a strong team to Tuesday’s feature provincial meeting at Newcastle, and could well bring home the major prize in a few races.
Trainer Matthew Smith.Credit:Getty
On what is a deep program of emerging and established gallopers desperate to showcase their credentials after the rain cancellations, two runners can make a big statement on a wet but improving track.
Lightly raced resuming four-year-old Mediaro returns off a six-month spell and two quiet trials to tackle a Class 1 Handicap for the boys over 1300m.
A gelded son of superstar Lonhro, Mediaro was so well thought of he was thrown into Group 1 company in autumn at only his fourth start after landing a maiden win in Canberra six weeks prior.
And the future also looks bright for stablemate four-year-old Floating, a flashy son of multiple Group-winning stayer Puissance de Lune, who looks an enormous chance third-up in a Maiden Plate for the older horses over 1300m.
Taken along steadily by Smith, Floating has twice charged home from the back in two runs this prep, the latest at this track when he made up a staggering amount of ground to be beaten under a length in heavy going.
The Smith stable also saddles up leading chance, four-year-old stallion Cool Lad fourth-up, as well as a few others at bigger odds.
And while the winners haven’t quite tumbled in, he’s certainly ventured into much bigger races heading into spring, and the progress has been impressive.
Among the eye-catching runs, Buenas Noches who was beaten a nose by subsequent Everest-declared runner Giga Kick in a Group 2 at Flemington, and Nimalee winning the Group 2 Golden Pendant at Rosehill before finishing fifth in the Group 1 Epsom.
Meanwhile, two provincial stables are out to upset more fancied rivals on the program.
Leading Gosford trainer Angela Davies finally unveils striking Wandjina four-year-old Karedada in a 3YO Maiden Handicap over 900m to open the meeting.
Mind you, it’s been one false start after the other because of the Big Wet, with Karedada kept ticking over a month after he impressed winning a Newcastle trial in soft 7 going.
And Wyong-based Kristen Buchanan resumes exciting four-year-old Oakfield Storm in a strong Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1500m.
A powerful son of 2016 Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Oakfield Storm has been given two solid trial hit-outs, and has the “Raging Bull’ Aaron Bullock returning to the saddle.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au.
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