Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Robert Smerdon is continuing to take a softly-softly approach with the stoutly bred import King Of England.

Smerdon had the option of running King Of England over 2000m at Caulfield on Saturday but opted to keep him for a benchmark 78 race over 1700m at Geelong on Wednesday.

Originally scheduled for Sandown’s Hillside track, the meeting has been transferred to Geelong while maintenance is carried out at the city course.

After having three starts at Scone for Greg Bennett, King Of England made his debut for Smerdon on April 6, finishing second at Sandown.

Smerdon said Wednesday’s race was a nice progression for the gelding before a possible 2000m run.

But Smerdon warned King Of England might still be a season away from realising his full potential and Geelong was probably not an ideal track.

“We haven’t got time to get to the full depth of him in the autumn so we’ll give him a few runs to get a guide, give him a break and see how he goes,” Smerdon said.

King Of England is by Galileo from a mare by Monsun, the sire of the past two Melbourne Cup winners Fiorente and Protectionist.

Smerdon says King Of England has the breeding to run a staying trip and is encouraged by his ability to show up in shorter trials.

“He’s bred to get over a lot of ground but his trials have been encouraging,” Smerdon said.

“If he can get to a trip that his pedigree suggests then who knows what his level is.

“He’s up there competing and winning trials and did win over 1300 and 1400 metres at Scone so if he can take that to a trip, there might be a bit of class about him.

“In fact we think as a consequence of that there is a bit of quality about him.”

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au