Speaker 1Coming straight to our next guest, and it is Matthew Smith. Good morning to you, Matthew. Morning, Luke. How are you going there? Super, mate. Just running through a few stats. You must be really pleased with the run of the stables form at the moment, not just in the metropolitan area, but they're running well everywhere.
Speaker 2It's been good. No, you know, the horses, I think, that have come back have been a bit more forward this season in terms of their preps, and they've come out of the winter in good shape, and, yeah, they're sort of, they're racing very well, so it's good.
Speaker 1You've got a promising stayer there that you just haven't been able to get on the track for the last few years, but she resumed at the weekend. Athol fled. How has she come through that race? And, you know, I'm sure you've been very frustrated because you've got a bit of time for this girl, but she's just had those niggles.
Speaker 2Yeah, for sure. Luke's a really good stayer, I'd say, and she's had a few little issues through last preparation again, but, look, I think we've got her back on track this time. I thought her first up run was good. Look, she's good. If she can hold together, she should hopefully end up in some good staying races. I guess we just have to wait and see. Because she's been off the scene a long time, how she handles the next couple of runs. She'll run again in two weeks at Rose Hill over 1,900, which is a bit short for her, but she'll take a couple of runs, and then once she gets to 2,400, you'll see the best of her.
Speaker 1She's by the same sire as Athol Wolfe, I think I'm right. Max and Warrior, they're not related on the dam side, but Athol Wolfe on him. We're going to see him at Newcastle on Friday, are we?
Speaker 2That's right. He's done well between runs. He looks good. He's definitely a promising stayer in the making. We're calling him a stayer, but we don't even know if he can run 2,200 yet. Not 2,400, so we'll find out on Friday.
Speaker 1We'll talk us through that decision, because he won over 2,000 metres effortlessly last time, but, yeah, there was that 2,000 metre run. It's a better option of the Kingston town, but you want to try him over that bit further of the Newcastle Cup, which, for our listeners, is 2,300 metres.
Speaker 2For sure. For us, he always profiled like a stayer, and he looks like one, so we'll give him a shot, and we thought, well, it's a nice race, because it's a nice lead-up for the Metrop or the Bard Cummings. So, look, I guess we'll see how he goes on Friday. We think he can do it. We've got to see him do it, though, right?
Speaker 1Exactly. Well, where next? You just want to see him on Friday, and then you'll work out your next move, but you've got two pretty good options there, a Metrop or that Bard Cummings.
Speaker 2Yeah, and he'd have to be winning well on Friday to run neither of those races. He'd have to sort of put his hand up and say, you know, I can run the trip, and I'm looking for further, and I'm enjoying my racing, and all that sort of stuff. So, if he does that, we'll definitely keep going with him, for sure.
Speaker 1Okay. That's Athol Wolfe. We'll see him on Friday in the Newcastle Cup, focusing on your team for Saturday. You're strong with Idle Flyer among the acceptors, I believe, for the seven stakes. How is she, and will she run?
Speaker 2She's good, and she'll run. Just keen to get her back up to the mile. I think her runs have been okay, her first two runs back. So, she really likes the Randwick mile. She's been working well, and, you know, we make a decision after this run whether we go to the Epsom or where we go from there. But she can run. We just put her best foot forward on Saturday. You know, it's obviously, she's out of mayor's grade now. She's into open company, which is always a bit harder. But we just need to see her attack the line on Saturday, and she's very strong at the Randwick mile.
Speaker 1Yeah. So, you'll make a decision again after Saturday. We're next. Headwall's in the shorts. Brilliant first up. He's seven, but he hasn't had 20 starts yet.
Speaker 2I know. It's ridiculous, isn't it? He's another one that's had all sorts of problems throughout his career, but I'm lucky we've got some patient owners there, and that should reap the rewards for doing that. So, he's come back great. He's pulled up super from his first up run, and I can't wait to see him on Saturday.
Speaker 1Yeah, neither can we. He'll put his hand up, perhaps, for a slot. We'll wait and see. Queen's Gamble in the T-Rose, deserving of a place after really turning it on at the midweeks of late.
Speaker 2She has, hasn't she? She's just kept improving, and that's all you can ask. She's definitely a promising type of horse. So, you know, I think that second win there at Warwick Farm sort of gave us the indication. She should be heading to stakes grade, and those jockeys at Britain have said I think she'll go a mile. So, we'll see what happens after Saturday, but nothing, you know, nothing's changed with her. Her work's been good. She's been ticking over nicely. Obviously, having her at the 13, the 14, we've just had to keep her happy into this race. So, you know, I can't fault her. She looks great, and she's just a nice filly on the way up.
Speaker 1And Golden Strand is nominated for the weekend as well. Has he accepted? He's set to resume, and he's a pretty good horse, this too.
Speaker 2He has, yeah. No, he's been good, and he's set to go. Look, he'll definitely be better over further, but it's a good starting point for him Saturday. Wouldn't surprise me if he graduated into some better class races. Over 1,200 to 1,400 metres, he's a lovely horse, and a good-action horse, lots of good ground. Yeah, I think he's got a bright future. We'll get him started on Saturday and see how he goes, and then we can... You know, plot a path after that.
Speaker 1These are your acceptors for Canterbury today. Race three, you've got Fia Prospero and Millie DeLune. Race six, number 15, Cosmic Order, which I believe has gained a start, was an emergency. And race seven, number seven, Fierceness. What's your best chance among those, do you think, Matt?
Speaker 2I think there's a couple of nice horses in Cosmic... Cosmic Order's going really well, and she's improving. There's a couple of nice fillies in that race. I don't know, maybe Fierceness. I mean, he's ready to win. The distance is right. He's drawn a good gait. Zach's on board. He looks to just Matt to get the nice run. I don't know what Ozzy is, but he's going very well. Either of the two stars could win. I don't know, that's an open race, I thought. I'd probably put my finger on one, maybe Fierceness today.
Speaker 1Yeah, OK. He's $5 in the last race, seven, number seven, Fierceness. And I'll just ask you about one tomorrow on the Illawarra Grange. I've been following this Glastonbury girl throughout its career. Race six, number four. I see you've got Zach to ride there tomorrow. She's had nine starts, three wins, four minor placings, so she's super consistent. How's she done since her first up run?
Speaker 2She's good, really good. And her run at Gossard was very good too. It was probably not the most suitable race for her, but she was tacking the line strong late. 1450's perfect. Zach's on board. I think she'll be hard to beat there. She just gets a bit of luck. In running, she's going very well. I'm happy with her.
Speaker 1Terrific, mate. Always good to catch up, and good luck with them all over the coming days.
Speaker 2Anytime. Thank you.
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