There is still a little over seven months until the running of the Melbourne Cup, but Sydney-based horseman Matthew Smith is already planning for Australia’s great race.
Smith has UK-bred Waltham entered in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington on Saturday in a bid to short-cutting a start in the Melbourne.
The winner of Saturday’s race earns a ballot exemption for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November.
In more that 20 years of training, Smith has only had one runner in the Melbourne Cup previously when True Marvel finished eighth in 2023 behind Without A Fight.
Smith has an appetite for training stayers and to date likes what he has seen from Waltham who will be lining up for only his tenth start on Saturday.
Waltham won his first two starts at Leopardstown over 2615m and had one more start in Ireland before making his way to Australia where at his most recent start he was successful over 2400m at the Gold Coast.
He was placed Group 3 ATC St Leger (2600m) at Randwick last October, possibly his best Australian effort since his arrival.
“It looks a good race for him, and it gives you the bonus of getting into the Melbourne Cup if you can win,” Smith said.
“He’s a good horse I think, and he’ll be winning a good race at some stage.
“We sent him up to the Gold Coast last time to get a win on the board and get his rating up a bit as there wasn’t a lot for him here in Sydney.
“That helped him, and hopefully it’s given him a bit of confidence going forward.
“He’s worked well since and we couldn’t be happier with him.”
Ben Melham has been booked for the ride on Saturday while Smith said the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on April 12 would be considered after Saturday’s outing depending on how the stayer performs.