One trainer not so pleased to see the sun shining in Sydney this week is Matthew Smith.
Smith will saddle up Hurtle Myrtle in the Group One Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday when she will clash with the likes of glamour mare More Joyous and Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker.
Hurtle Myrtle is also proven at the highest level having claimed the Myer Classic at Flemington in the spring but her best form is on rain-affected tracks.
Rosehill was rated a good (3) on Wednesday and with fine weather forecast until race day there seems little likelihood of a downgrade.
Hurtle Myrtle has raced 11 times on good tracks for just three minor placings.
In contrast, she has notched four wins and three placings in nine runs on ground dead or worse.
“The thing going against her will be the ground if it’s firm,” Smith said.
“She just doesn’t seem to like firm tracks. Some horses don’t.
“It’s probably got to do with her action and the way she gallops. She definitely goes better with the cut out of the track.”
Hurtle Myrtle resumed with a sound ninth to More Joyous in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m), finishing just over three lengths from the winner.
She usually improves second-up and Smith says her work has been much better going into Saturday’s race.
“She worked with a mate (on Tuesday) over 1400 metres and worked super,” Smith said.
“She’s been a bit lazy this time in but her work was sharper on Tuesday.
“I was very happy with it and she pulled up well.”
Damien Oliver, who partnered Hurtle Myrtle to her Myer victory and was also aboard in the Canterbury Stakes, has stuck with the five-year-old in the Queen Of The Turf.
She is one of 11 runners and has drawn nicely in barrier six, directly inside More Joyous.
Smith is expecting her to be competitive in what is likely to be her final lead-up before the Doncaster Mile two weeks from Saturday.
“Her first-up run was pretty normal for her,” Smith said.
“I think she’ll run better again this Saturday. She’s fitter, sharper in her work and she’s got a nice draw.”
TAB Sportsbet opened More Joyous at $2.15 on Wednesday ahead of Pinker Pinker at $5 and King’s Rose at $6.50.
Hurtle Myrtle is on the next line of betting at $9.
