Mick Smith returns to Canterbury on Wednesday hoping for a reversal in metropolitan fortunes with bush mare Money Never Sleeps.
Money Never Sleeps is back in town for the TAB Sportsbet Handicap (1900m), a month after she was declared a non-runner at the same track when the race started without her jockey.
Nathan Berry had stood up in the starting stalls as Money Never Sleeps’ barrier blanket was adjusted but a communication mix-up saw the starter send the field away before Berry had re-taken his seat.
“I’m hoping we had all our bad luck last time and this time we can have our good luck,” Smith, who trains a small team at Queanbeyan, said.
Berry is suspended for Wednesday’s meeting but Smith has called on country jockey Mathew Cahill who has ridden Money Never Sleeps in all five of her career wins.
Smith took Money Never Sleeps, who he said could be temperamental, to Canberra after the Canterbury disappointment to make sure the five-year-old had retained her confidence.
She scored by almost a length over 1750m, showing Smith everything he needed to see to warrant a Sydney return.
“I’m very confident,” Smith said.
“These fillies and mares races around the benchmark 75 or 80 mark are always very competitive but my horse has always been competitive in them.
“It has left the impression that one of these days luck will work out our way and we’ll get our turn to win one.
“The horse is going well, she’s eating well and has been working well.
“I would prefer her on a better surface (than heavy) but she’s got wet form and Mathew Cahill’s record on her stands out. Hopefully that makes a difference.”
