Earlier this week local trainer Mick Smith was confident of a big day at Queanbeyan on Friday with what he believed were three winning chances.
But come the barrier draw and Smith’s confidence went out the window quicker than a southerly buster with Red Captive, Star Hawk and Noverre Man all drawing out in the boondocks.
“We drew 14, 14 and 12. I could have cried,” Smith said.
“I was so looking forward to the day.
“The deck didn’t fall our way. We got dealt three horrible cards.”
Nonetheless, Smith maintained a modicum of joviality.
“The randomness of it all escapes me at the moment but my horses are all fit and well and I’ve still got my sense of humour,” he said.
“The jockeys are just going to have to ride clever, certainly we’ll need luck and plenty of it. You never know.”
Smith, who maintains a small, boutique stable, was close to declaring four-year-old Noverre Man before the barrier draw.
Bred by Smith, Noverre Man, by Noverre from Cruyff Almighty, tackles The Auction Barn Benchmark 55 Hcp (1460m) with three-kilo claiming apprentice Billy Owen in the saddle.
“He’s been desperately unlucky this campaign, knocking on the door for a win,” Smith said.
“The outside barrier and big weight (60.5kg) aren’t ideal but the horse is in magnificent order. I couldn’t be happier with him.
“His work’s been super, he’s going really well.”
Noverre Man is the first foal from Cruyff Almighty, a massive animal standing 17-plus hands who weighed around 560kg.
Unfortunately, the mare never made it to the racetrack.
“She was a cracking type, a lovely looking horse with a ton of speed,” Smith said.
“I put her in a yard before she was due to trial and she hurt herself, smashed a joint on a concrete wall.
“It was my stupidity, a very expensive lesson as an owner, breeder and trainer.”
A win by Red Captive, who tackles the Cut Through Solutions Class 1 Hcp (1600m) would prove highly emotional for Smith and stable supporters.
The now six-year-old had nearly three years away from racing after bowing a tendon and undergoing stem cell surgery.
The gelding has had two runs back, the latest when 2-1/2 lengths fourth to Deejay Brahms over 1460m at Queanbeyan on February 12.
AAP TURF
