NZ HARNESS NEWS
Gavin Smith found himself in an unusual position earlier this week.
When star trotter Monbet was withdrawn from the Dominion Handicap, Smith’s horse, Great Things Happen, was propelled to $4.20 favouritism for the $300,000 Group 1 feature.
And rather than being nervous, Smith says the over-riding feeling is excitement with the race less than four weeks away.
“I’m not nervous yet; at the moment it’s more exciting for me.
“I guess it will hit me in the last day or two before the race, but I’m not really someone who gets worried before races.
“He’ll either be good enough, or he won’t.
“Owning half of him makes it more exciting again as the rewards a lot bigger.”
First, Smith will head to Ashburton tomorrow to tackle the $30,000 Gr. 3 Trotters Flying Mile.
Great Things Happen hasn’t always been the most mentally-tough horse, but Smith says that has changed this season.
“I’m as happy with him as I’ve ever been.
“The plan we put in place last season to send him to Aussie for three months for easier racing has definitely worked.
“He’s come back bigger, stronger, braver and mentally more of a racehorse.
“He’s ready to step up this year after being babied his whole life and it’s time to prove what he can do.”
Great Things Happen won from a mobile twice in Australia at the start of the year, and placed in the Group 1 National Trot from behind the arm at Alexandra Park on New Year’s Eve.
So that’s not really a concern for Smith, though he concedes it, and the sprint trip, are not in the horse’s wheelhouse.
“He’s not really a mobile horse, and not really a sprint horse either.
“But tomorrow will give us a line on whether we can put him in the Free For All on Cup Day (November 14).
“If I’m not happy after tomorrow, then it will be straight to the Dominion (November 17).”
He’s drawn awkwardly in the Flying Mile, just one spot from the outside of the front line and that has Smith thinking that jagging back will be the prudent option.
“Pretty much all of the front line can get out fairly quick so from that wide we could be left three-wide on the first bend if we go forward.”
Smith says the horse has come on a long way since his resuming second behind Bordeaux at Addington on October 6.
“He’d only had one fast work run and one trial before that.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds since and I still think there will be a bit more improvement, too.
“This run should have him spot on for Cup week.”
Smith also takes Red Moon Rising and Scarlett Banner to Ashburton and the former will be looking to stick his hand up after a lacklustre effort at Methven.
He did gallop off the stand, which Smith excuses due to a tape issue, but his effort afterwards left the trainer scratching his head.
“I was pretty disappointed in him, even after the stand start mishap.
“I’m loathe to blame the track, and his bloods have been good, so I’m assuming it was just an off day.
“But I want to line him up in the $50,000 race at Kaikoura, which has been the plan all along.
“So I need to know if we are on track or need to bail.”
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