Wily trainer Brian Smith believes a heavy track has turned the Listed Caloundra Cup into a raffle but remains hopeful he’s got the winning ticket.
Smith is chasing his first win in Saturday’s 2400-metre feature with two runners, Raeburn and Regal Gaze, and rates the former as the stable’s better hope.
“Regal Gaze has been racing well but he’s going to open company for the first time and it’s in a Caloundra Cup,” Smith said.
“Raeburn ran a great race last start to finish fifth in the Tatt’s Cup when he drew an inside gate.
“He seems to lack pace in the early stages of his races and finds it hard to stay in touch.
“It was a disadvantage when he raced like that in Brisbane Cup but it might be different on a heavy track.”
Raeburn tailed the field until the home turn in the Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 before grinding away to finish seventh to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Tullamore.
It was a similar scenario in the Group Three Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Eagle Farm when the six-year-old had three runners behind him at the 800 metres before finishing fifth, only four lengths from the winner Ironstein.
“He keeps whacking away and finding the line in his races and he’s won on a heavy track,” Smith said.
“This time he’s drawn out wide (12), which might not be a disadvantage if the track stays heavy, and the big Caloundra track will suit him.”
Smith hasn’t had many Caloundra Cup starters but tried unsuccessfully to win it three times with Scattergun.
Scattergun’s first attempt was when he was runner-up to local stayer King Latarmiss in 2007.
The son of Quest For Fame came back the following two years to finish second to Fast Future in 2008 before beating only one runner home in the 2009 Cup won by Reggie.
Smith plans to back up Raeburn in the Listed Queensland Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday week if he performs well.
“I’m confident he’ll run a good race but while the wet track knocks out a few chances it brings others like Mr Clangtastic into it,” Smith said.
The Les Bridge-trained Mr Clangtastic sat off the speed behind Gold In Dubai in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) last start before fading to finish fifth to the Victorian.
Mr Clangtastic previously finished last in the Group Three Premier’s Cup (2200m) at Doomben after a game second to Shootoff in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (1900) at Canterbury in May.
The seven-year-old has a great wet track record with four wins and three placings from eight starts in slow going and three wins and a second from eight starts on a heavy track.
AAP TURF
