Smith Back in Melbourne Without Skybeau
- Friday, 20 September 2002 00:00
In recent years when veteran Adelaide trainer Len Smith has been seen on a Melbourne track the veteran stayer Skybeau has been close by his side.
On Sunday the Cheltenham based horseman will be one of the many trainers hunting significant prizemoney on a spectacular day of racing at Caulfield, but Skybeau will be hundreds of kilometres away.
Smith will be accompanied to "the Heath" by his new stable star, Bisha Mon who is South Australias most in form galloper with five straight wins.
Bisha Mon, a son of the international siring success Last Tycoon, has had his share of problems during his short, yet illustrious career to date.
Smith told Cyberhorse that the five-year-old has already had two operations, and the horse had shown great ability and character to come back each time.
"Hes been doing a terrific job here in Adelaide," Smith said. "Since hes been back this time in work hes won three from three."
Following his first city success at Cheltenham in October last year, connections were left wondering what might have been when it was discovered the gelding would require a second operation.
"He chipped a bone in a knee last year," Smith said. "And that was the second bone hed chipped after earlier on he did the same thing with the other front leg."
Despite having trained horses for many decades, the Group One winning horseman said he had reservations about the gelding being able to come back to the track successfully.
"Ive never had a horse do this twice in different legs and then come back like this bloke has," Smith said. "Hes obviously a very smart little horse."
On Sunday the lightly raced Bisha Mon will be attempting six straight wins in the $50,000 Dubai Shopping Festival Plate (1200m) in his first run in Melbourne.
"Im thinking he is obviously going to be very competitive," Smith reported. "Hes trained on beautifully and has a nice barrier."
After first attempting to gain the services of brilliant Melbourne based jockey Damien Oliver, Smith booked leading Sydney hoop Chris Munce to ride the gelding.
"I rang Damiens manager and he said hed already had a ride, but he said Chris was coming down from Sydney," he said. "Ive had some success with Chris in the past, so I was pleased to be able to get him to ride."
Should Bisha Mon prove his worth in Sundays competitive last race he will again be set for a race in Melbourne.
"If he runs well then we would run him in the 1200 metre race on Melbourne Cup Day," Smith said referring to the $81,000 Welter to be run at Flemington on November 5.
While one of the countrys most popular stayers Skybeau, who is now enjoying a life in equestrian circles, Smith is hoping his new stable star can emulate his former star by winning in Melbourne.
PIC - Jenny
Barnes.
