WARRNAMBOOL trainer Lindsey Smith is keen on the prospects of Mystery Shot maintaining his unbeaten record when he goes to Caulfield on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mystery Shot's two starts have resulted in two wins. The first at Warrnambool last December, the other at Ballarat on June 14 have given Smith confidence Mystery Shot can graduate to city company. Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd, who rode the three-year-old to victory at Ballarat will be on board in Saturday's $108,000 race over 1440 metres.
"Mystery Shot deserves a crack at a city race," Smith said.
"He's done nothing wrong in his two starts. He shows plenty of promise. I think he's only got to run up to his last start win at Ballarat to be in the finish.
"Michael has a good opinion of Mystery Shot which is a great indication of how good the horse is going."
He's done nothing wrong in his two starts. He shows plenty of promise. I think he's only got to run up to his last start win at Ballarat to be in the finish.
- Lindsey Smith
Bookmakers have installed Mystery Shot as a $4 chance in the early betting markets.
Smith, who has stables in Warrnambool and Perth will saddle up three other runners at Caulfield.
They are No Say In It, Elderflower and Salon Du Cheval.
"I thought No Say In It had no luck last time," he said. "No Say In It drew wide on that occasion and that never helped his chances.
"Elderflower is up in grade after winning at Ballarat. I've got a bit of an opinion of her but we'll get a better idea how good she is after this race.
"Salon Du Cheval resumes from a break after he won the Koroit and Port Fairy Cups. He's got a very good first-up record but he's drawn a wide barrier which is a concern."
Boom Warrnambool galloper Harbour Views looks the one to beat in a 2000 metre race. Harbour Views scored an impressive victory at Moonee Valley last time.
The five-year-old has won six of his nine starts for Matthew Williams. Fellow local trainer Symon Wilde saddles up the consistent Inn Keeper in a benchmark 84.
Meanwhile, this year's Warrnambool Grand Annual Steeplechase winner Ablaze returns to racing on the flat in the Stayers Cup at Rosehill.
Ablaze runs in the 3200 metre race before being set for the Grand National Hurdle and Grand National Steeplechase in August.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.