MAY racing newbie Lindsey Smith is poised to make a big impact as he pursues the Wangoom Handicap - Warrnambool Cup double at Warrnambool on Wednesday.
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At his first carnival since taking up on-course stables at Warrnambool last year, Smith, the highly respected Western Australian conditioner, has four runners in the feature sprint and the favourite for the Warrnambool Cup.
Reykjavik, Great Again, Never No More and Superhard will represent the Smith stable in the Wangoom while Too Close The Sun is his sole Warrnambool Cup runner.
"It would be great if we could win one of the features but they're tough races," he said.
"Too Close The Sun is a progressive type of horse. My biggest concern with him is how wet the track is come race time.
"He handles soft tracks but is an unknown on heavy ground.
"His mother was no good on heavy ground and neither is his half-brother Trap For Fools.
"I've been happy with Too Close The Sun's track-work since his win in the Terang Cup.
"We may look at running him in town next time if he runs well in the Warrnambool Cup."
Smith rated Great Again the best hope of his four runners in the Wangoom.
"Great Again is a very good wet tracker," he said.
"He failed at Ballarat at his first Victoria start but that may have been due to trainer error.
"His first-up record is good and l think he's my best chance of winning the race.
"Reykjavik is an honest horse. He's only a little horse and l'm worried about the big weight.
"He should be just behind the pace in the run.
"Never No More has only had the one run for us since coming to Australia.
"He's come to us with a good reputation but may need a bit of time and I may scratch Superhard if the track is too wet."
Champion jockey Damien Oliver is shooting for his second Warrnambool Cup victory when he rides the David Hayes-Tom Dabernig trained Sin to Win.
Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Oliver rode Samosiera in 2001 to win the listed race, while the Hayes' stable won last year's cup with Furrion.
The Wangoom Handicap is race seven on the nine-event program and is scheduled at 3.20pm while the Warrnambool Cup starts at 3.55pm.
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