Lindsey Smith pair to chase bigger targets
Dual-state trainer Lindsey Smith has hopes of bigger prizes after claiming a second Ballarat synthetic double.
The West Australian, who recently took over the Warrnambool stables of disqualified trainer Darren Weir, scored on Tuesday with Olympic Oath and Saone.
After commencing training at Warrnambool last month, Smith opened his account with a double at Ballarat on July 2 before winning the Listed Winter Championship final with Reykjavik at Flemington four days later.
Tuesday’s winners were his first runners since Reykjavik’s success.
Olympic Oath is part-owned by Spicer Thoroughbreds who had a share in Extra Brut, last year’s Victoria Derby victor for Weir.
Syndicator Brad Spicer is hoping Olympic Oath can build into a Derby prospect like Extra Brut.
“Extra Brut was a bit more brilliant than him, but he’s put the writing on the wall today and you’ve just got to keep hoping,” Spicer told broadcaster Racing.com.
“He’s a stretchy sort of colt, out of a Zabeel mare, so you always hope he can get out to a Derby trip.”
Olympic Oath was sent off an odds-on favourite in winning, as was Saone in breaking her maiden status.
Not everything went to plan for Saone who overhauled the runner-up late, although Smith, tongue in cheek, said he was always confident.
“Never in doubt, she’s a nice filly, she’s only two and looking for 2000 metres,” Smith said.
“She’s a nice horse and she’s got a good future.”
Smith said Saone was likely to be freshened and set on a path towards the staying three-year-old fillies races during the spring.