By Ray Hickson
A return to stakes company is on the cards for French Endeavour if she runs up to trainer Matthew Smith’s hopes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The four-year-old was twice placed at group level earlier in the year but after 12 months out of the winner’s stall, Smith has kept her back to benchmark level in two runs this spring, and she’ll chase successive wins in the James Squire Handicap (1400m).
Trainer Matthew Smith.Credit: Getty
“We thought we’d come back and give her the confidence, she’s been running well in good races, but we need to win some races,” Smith said.
“She was good the other day, she’s going well and there’s no reason she can’t do it again.”
Smith said there are plenty of options for the mare in the next month, but feels the group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on November 9 is a good one.
French Endeavour carried 60kg to win in fillies and mares company on the Kensington track two weeks ago, and she’ll have the same weight and jockey, with James McDonald retaining the ride.
“We’ve dropped her back in grade for a couple of runs, and then we’ll see if we can have a crack at something. [The Hot Danish] would probably be a nice race to go to if she could win this and be impressive,” Smith said.
“James thought she went very well. This race looked like it would be another race she could be hard to beat in, and hopefully win again, and then we go from there.
“The other day was fillies and mares and this one’s not, so there’s a bit more depth in it, and she’ll have to be at the top of her game to win it.”
While French Endeavour has struck winning form again, stablemate Anythink Goes is looking to get his preparation back on track in the same event and Smith said he’d expect an improved showing.
The gelding didn’t fire at all in his first three runs back but Smith saw merit in his sixth behind Well Timed at Randwick a month ago.
“This prep started off average and the next couple of runs we haven’t had any luck but he’s back on track I think,” he said.
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Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
