WARRNAMBOOL trainer Lindsey Smith scored his first Melbourne metropolitan double when proven wet trackers Great Again and Reykjavik won at Flemington on Saturday.
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Great Again with Warrnambool jockey Declan Bates aboard was successful in Saturday's main race the listed Straight Six while Reykjavik with apprentice hoop Lewis German in the saddle won his third race at Flemington taking out the Apache Cat Handicap.
Reykjavik's other Flemington victories were in the listed Winter Championship and a group three race during the spring carnival last year.
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Smith, who also has stables in Perth, has trained 99 winners between both yards in the past 11 months.
"It's the best year I've had in my 26 years of training," Smith told The Standard.
"I'm very fortunate, I've got great staff in Warrnambool and Perth and really enjoying my time in Warrnambool where I've got excellent facilities.
"I decided to scratch Great Again from the Wangoom Handicap because the track was not heavy enough. It looks like we pulled the right reign with him. Great Again will have a week off before we look for another suitable type of race."
Reykjavik may be heading for the Swan Hill Cup or another tilt at the Winter Championship, according to the 60-year-old trainer.
"His win was a bit of a surprise," Smith said.
"Reykjavik is a very good horse. We'll let the dust settle for a day or two before working out where he goes next but it could be the Swan Hill Cup or the Winter Championship back at Flemington.
"Reykjavik had conditions to suit and was perfectly ridden by Lewis.
"The pace was on and that really suited Reykjavik's chances. The three-kilogram claim for Lewis was a real advantage and I can't forget Declan. He's had a bit of success for us and in my opinion he's a very underrated jockey."
Bates and Smith joined forces to win the Terang and Warrnambool Cups with Too Close The Sun.
From his 22 starts Great Again has won 10 starts and Reykjavik victory took his winning tally to eight wins from 38 starts.
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