Matthew Smith, the trainer based at Warwick Farm, is optimistic about Golden Straand’s prospects in his upcoming start this weekend, believing the horse can regain his best form closer to home after a challenging foray into Melbourne.
The five-year-old son of Snitzel is scheduled to participate in the highly anticipated $1 million Listed The Hunter, held at Newcastle over 1300 metres.
This marks Golden Straand’s first race since his ninth-place finish in the Group 2 Rising Fast Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day, where he displayed early speed but couldn’t sustain it to the line.
Smith indicated that the horse’s eagerness in the initial stages of the Rising Fast Stakes was the primary reason for his performance, which saw him finish nearly four lengths behind Ndola on his debut at a straight track.
“He just began too quickly,” he explained. “He drew the right part of the track, but the plan was to ride him with cover and he jumped straight to the front. So, it all went pear-shaped right out of the gate.”
Golden Straand’s most recent three victories have all been over 1100 metres. His last run at the 1300-metre distance was on November 1 last year, resulting in a fifth-place finish in a benchmark 78 event at Randwick during Golden Eagle Day.
The trainer is not concerned about Golden Straand’s ability to finish strongly over The Hunter’s 1300-metre journey, provided the race unfolds more favourably than his previous outing.
“The 1300 should be ideal for him and just hopefully we get to ride him like the start before, when he got a bit of covered and finished off,” Smith added. “He’s a big-galloping, big-striding horse, Newcastle should suit him and 1300 shouldn’t be a problem.”
Among the 32 horses entered for The Hunter are last year’s winner Coal Crusher, the Bill Ritchie Stakes victor General Salute, The Invitation runner-up Infancy, the in-form Victorian runner Run Harry Run, and Sweynesday, who was second in the Rising Fast Stakes.
Find competitive racing odds for The Hunter at various betting markets for the race.
