Stakes performer Lombardi has rarely ventured out of Canterbury, but over the next month he is set to hit the road, with trainer Bruce Smith keen to broaden his horizons.
“He has never travelled further than Oamaru, but it is time to man up,” Smith said.
The $170,000 Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) at Wingatui next Saturday is set to be his first major target of the autumn before he ventures across the Cook Strait for the first time to tackle the $110,000 NZ St Leger (2600m) at Trentham.
The Dunedin Gold Cup is part of Otago Racing Club’s Property Brokers Otago Classics Day, and Smith is looking forward to being a part of the big day before heading north.
“The big money is up, there is a bit of dosh to be won this year, and it is great to see for South Island racing,” he said.
“The northern boys will come down for it because of the money, and if things go to plan after that he will go up to Wellington for the St Leger.”
To ready for his looming feature targets, Smith will head to Ashburton on Sunday with Lombardi to contest the Gallagher Insurance (2200m).
The six-year-old son of Verdi heads into the race off the back of a first-up victory over a mile at Riccarton earlier this month, and Smith is hoping for a repeat performance.
Lombardi has drawn the ace barrier and will be ridden by Leah Hemi, with Smith’s only concern being his 60kg impost, giving the rest of the field a 6kg advantage.
“He goes well fresh-up, he has come through it well and I couldn’t be happier with him,” Smith said.
“He has drawn a good gate and if he is as good as I think he is, it shouldn’t be that hard.
“He is starting to get up there in the weights now, but he is big and strong and it won’t worry him too much. He is the highest rated horse in the field, so he deserves it.”
Lombardi has won five and placed in seven of his 28 starts to date, including running third in the Listed Spring Classic (2000m) at Riccarton last October, and Smith believes the best is yet to come from the gelding.
“I think next year he will be a better horse,” he said.
“He would be one of the better horses I have trained. I have trained a couple of nice horses, but this fella has a bit of x factor about him.
“He doesn’t stress about too much, even in his races and his work. He can handle good ground and bad ground, and I couldn’t be happier with the horse.”
