Marilisa To Keep Smith Momentum Rolling
- Tuesday, 06 October 2015 07:56
Over the past week, Matthew Smith has racked up an enviable strike rate of six winners from just 10 starters.
The Warwick Farm trainer puts the purple patch down to a combination of good placement, good staff and a little bit of luck.
While he doesn't have any stand-out carnival horses, Smith is hoping Marilisa can keep the momentum going when she runs at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Smith's streak started with Zayam at Rosehill last Wednesday and was followed by a double at Wyong on Thursday and three winners at Scone on Saturday.
The trainer said things had just clicked at the right time.
"I think we had about nine seconds in the five or six weeks prior to that so things have finally turned our way a bit," Smith said.
"I've been really pleased with how the stable has been going for the last six months.
"We have a lot of horses up and going. Before that there were many that were in and out of the stable for various reasons but being able to get all these horses to the races helps.
"We've got the right combination of staff and I think I'm a better trainer than I was 12 months ago so things are moving along well."
A Gosford winner in July, Marilisa is making her metropolitan debut in Wednesday's 1900m-race for fillies and mares after running fourth at Kembla Grange on September 26.
"I was a little disappointed in her run at Kembla Grange," Smith said.
"She pulled hard and that didn't help
"But this looks a nice race for her. She is sound and happy and when I saw this race I thought it looked ideal.
"She is a mare I think will eventually run a mile-and-a-half with no problems and I do have an opinion of her."
Smith will have Royal Adventure running in the Group Three Angst Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Kathy O'Hara will ride Royal Adventure who was unplaced on her spring return at Rosehill last Saturday week.
Last-start Golden Pendant winner Peeping is the 57kg topweight in the set weights and penalties event with Royal Adventure on the 54kg minimum.
