Smerdon well represented in Straight Six
Robert Smerdon is preparing to send My Poppette to Adelaide but is still set to have two runners in the Listed Straight Six at Flemington.
My Poppette is also an acceptor for the Group Three Proud Miss Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday and Smerdon said the Adelaide race, despite a wide gate, was the plan for the Group-winning filly.
The Caulfield trainer has three-year-old colt Odyssey Moon and five-year-old mare Iggimacool in Saturday’s Straight Six.
A multiple stakes placegetter including at Group One level as a two-year-old when trained by Rod Northam at Scone, Odyssey Moon will be chasing his first stakes win.
Odyssey Moon was transferred to Smerdon before this year’s autumn carnival and his three starts for the Caulfield trainer have been a close fourth in the Zeditave Stakes and placings in the Bendigo Guineas and then the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
“He’s had a freshen up since the Carbine Club Stakes, so I think at this stage 1200 metres is OK for him,” Smerdon said.
He said the plan was then to head to Brisbane with Odyssey Moon where there are a couple of stakes race options.
Godolphin three-year-old Demonstrate has been an early firmer to $3.80 with Odyssey Moon on the second line of betting at $6.50.
“He has run well at that trip and fresh before. I think he fits in well,” Smerdon said.
Iggimacool has been installed $61 for her return after having a bone chip removed from a knee since she last raced in October, and she has 58kg on Saturday.
“She was out for longer than normal which is not ideal with the older horses,” Smerdon said.
“But she seems in good shape. She trialled up quite OK the other day. She’s ready to go to the races and run well.”