Smith Brimming With Mungrup Confidence
15 March, 2019
Thoroughbred
Sunday’s $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m) at Mount Barker beckons for Reykjavik.
That’s the confident assessment of the four-year-old’s trainer Lindsey Smith.
The Oldbury-based horseman has no doubt Reykjavik can pick up where he left off last preparation when he won the Listed Hannans Handicap (1400m) in October.
It was Reykjavik’s first major victory in 25 attempts and an important stepping stone after swapping to Smith’s stables half way through last year.
Reykjavik trialled over 1000m in readiness for his return and came through it well when he wasn’t asked to do too much behind Saracino.
The son of Artie Schiller is the $3 second elect. Shading him for TAB favouritism is the 62kg top weight, Rebel King.
“It’s a good distance for him and I think the track will suit him,” Smith told The Races WA.
“There are not too many in the field and he will go good.”
In a 10 horse line up Reykjavik has drawn barrier seven. Dan Staeck will ride him at 54kg.
Meanwhile Steve Wolfe says there is still plenty of life left in the seven-year-old legs of Red Ora, who has a terrific record in Mount Barker’s major sprint
The Due Sasso gelding won it last year for Wolfe and placed third behind Rebel King 12-months earlier when under the care of Dan Morton.
Red Ora has been freshened since running eighth to Mr Mowtown in the Listed Scenic Blast Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on February 2.
“He has a few more years left in him,” Wolfe says.
“He has been working well and will be among the chances.
“He’ll be running a very good race.”
Red Ora has drawn barrier four and carries 58.5kg for jockey Peter Hall.
Kyra Yuill picks up the ride on the Paul Roberts-trained Just Act Natural.
She replaces Andrew Castle who has been stood down by stewards after suffering concussion in a fall at Bunbury trials on Friday.
Just Act Natural has battled leg injuries in the past 18-months, but pleased Roberts when second to Malibu Style in a trial last month.
“Everything seems to be good with him again, “Roberts said.
“I was happy with his trial the other day.
“He has progressed since then.
“He’s got to be a top five chance.”
Just Act Natural will jump from barrier six and is on the third line of betting ($5.50)
Red Ora is next at $6.
Julio Santarelli