Reykjavik Up For Another Test Says Smith
Perth-owned galloper Reykjavik has reached his campaign goal, but a sterner test at Flemington will determine if there are bigger races in line for the five-year-old.
Last year’s Hannans Handicap (1400m) winner was one of several Perth horses that Lindsey Smith took east after setting up a satellite stable at Warrnambool in the winter.
The son of Artie Schiller validated Smith’s faith when he claimed victory in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington last month.
Smith is optimistic he can get another black-type win out of Reykjavik when he goes back to Flemington for the Group 3 Aurie Star (1200m) on Saturday.
The bay, who is on the cusp of half a million dollars in stake earnings, enters the race after a last-start third to Kentucky Breeze over the mile at Flemington.
Smith believes there a lot of positives in Reykjavik’s favour in the $160,000 feature.
He’s on the 54kg minimum, a drop of 5kg, will have the services of top jockey, Linda Meech and has drawn perfectly in barrier eight.
Smith is confident Reykjavik can be competitive against a career-best line-up.
“His goal was the Winter Championship Final,” Smith said on Tabradio.
“He won that, but has trained on good after.
“When he hits a brick wall he can have a rest.
“He has form around nice horses.
“He’s in a good spot around his head.
“He likes the no weight situation.
“The jockey rides him well.
“He has has drawn the right part of the track, he’s right in the middle so he can do what he likes.
“The horse is well and it will be a good guide to see what we do with him in the future.”
Reykjavik is one of three Western Australian-owned horses in the Aurie Star line-up.
Material Man, now with Pat Carey, races first up.
Neville Parnham’s Malibu Style won the Listed Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 6.
After opening at $11 with Tabtouch, Reykjavik has firmed to $9.50.
Malibu Style is $8 and Material Man $18.
Julio Santarelli