Double Hit At Home Track Cup For Smith
- Sunday, 08 November 2009 04:30
Several months ago Queanbeyan trainer Mick J Smith hatched a plan to finally win the Two Stubbies Cup on his home track.
Smith and his close mate of 45 years, Greg Bourke, co-managers of the Two Stubbies Racing Syndicate, are major sponsors of Monday's Benchmark 60 Handicap of 2000m.
Smith will saddle up Deejay Brahms and Star Hawk.
"Through our racing company we've sponsored this day for about four years," Smith said.
"It's a chance for our clients to come to the races and help out the race club.
"Our previous formline mightn't look too good, we've only won one race on the day and that was last year, but this time around I've specifically set a couple of horses for the Two Stubbies Cup.
"And I reckon I've got the bases covered.
"One horse (Star Hawk) that likes to run along and the other (Deejay Brahms) that comes from off the pace.
"I've had this race picked out for them both for some time.
"Wouldn't it be nice to have the quinella?"
Six-year-old gelding Deejay Brahms will be ridden by stable rider Michael Travers.
"He's my preferred runner," Smith said.
"He's been specifically set for this.
"Ideally he likes a bit of cut out of the ground but he's in perfect shape.
"He worked sensationally on Tuesday. I had to double check his time.
"He can be a lazy worker, not on Tuesday though. He's really come on in the past three weeks.
"Last start at Queanbeyan we rode him a bit differently - forward early - to try and sharpen him up.
"Tomorrow he'll get back a bit and hopefully finish the race off too well for them."
Deejay Brahms finished three lengths fifth to Sellout over 1600m on October 12.
Star Hawk, a lightly-raced five-year-old gelding bred by Smith and Bourke, is coming off a disappointing sixth to Bepina over 2000m at Canberra on November 9.
Smith, however, said he would disregard the performance. Prior to his past two failures Star Hawk's form was solid for a race of this nature.
"He got taken on continually in the lead, went too hard and led until the 200 metres," Smith said.
"He was entitled to stop after that.
"Tomorrow hopefully he can have an easier time up front."
