By John Schell
Warwick Farm horseman Matthew Smith could be in for a big day at Goulburn on Monday with the trainer having a big team of runners accepted to race.
While Smith has a number of his Goulburn runners also in at Scone on Tuesday, he looks to have strong claims of snaring a success when stablemates Haberfield and My Greek God clash in the Goulburn Christmas Cup 20/12 Maiden Plate (1600m).
Trainer Matthew Smith.Credit: Getty
Haberfield debuted at Nowra with a fourth behind another Smith-trained stablemate in Super Sugoi and My Greek God contested the same race when finishing third.
“Both My Greek God and Haberfield are coming out of the same race in which they both debuted in and they have come through it in very good order,” said Smith.
“I was very happy with the way both of them raced that day and if they can repeat those efforts then they both should figure prominently again.”
Jess Taylor rode Haberfield on debut and Molly Bourke was aboard My Greek God. Both riders stick with the respective gallopers at Goulburn.
Bourke will also ride the Smith-prepared Dark Vador in the Electel Services Benchmark 58 Handicap – Heat Of The Rising Star (1400m).
“We took Dark Vador down to Victoria to run at Kyneton last time out, and he ran a better race so here’s hoping he can show that improvement again at Goulburn,” Smith said.
Invader filly Lady Memphis will represent Smith in the Goulburn Hay Supplies Maiden Plate (1000m) with Louise Day taking the ride and Smith is expecting the three-year-old filly to take plenty of beating.
“She’d shown some ability in her trials before she debuted at Newcastle and ran second,” said Smith.
“She’s drawn a good barrier and should put herself in a good position and take plenty of holding
out.”
The Smith pair of Le Souci and Icon Dream are both acceptors in the Goulburn Carpet Court Class 1 & Maiden Plate (2145m) but they are also both in the fields at Scone on Tuesday.
Smith also has December Sky in the Emma Murphy Racing Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m) with it also in at Scone on Tuesday.
