Matthew Smith is of the belief that his 10-year-old Sweet Thomas is going even better than last year as he prepares for another Brisbane Cup (3200m) berth.
Having finished third in the two-mile event at Eagle Farm 12 months ago, Smith’s dour stayer looks in fine fettle following a desperately unlucky second in the Premier’s Cup (2400m) a fortnight ago.
The son of Dylan Thomas rarely puts the effort in at distances less than 3200m, but his last two starts over 2080m and 2400m respectively have “put the writing on the wall” to once again target this Saturday’s Group 2 event.
“He’s come through the run super, he’s in good order and his work’s been good,” Smith told HorseBetting.
“I’m really happy with where he’s up to and we know he’s a good two-miler, so we look forward to seeing him on Saturday.
“His run at Gosford was excellent actually, so his run at Gosford sort of put the writing on the wall.
“His usual run is not like the way he raced at Gosford, so once he was so sharp at Gosford, we actually thought he was half a chance in that race if there was a bit of tempo… luckily enough, they put the foot on the gas a fair way out in that race, which just bought him into the race.”
Since being in Australia, Sweet Thomas has finished fourth and eighth in the Group 1 Sydney Cup, third and fourth in back-to-back Sandown Cups, and third in the Brisbane Cup, while he has won two Stayers’ Cups – all of which were over 3200m.
The rise from 2400m to 3200m has Smith hopeful that Saturday could be “his time”.
“You could argue that he’s going better based on his last run,” the trainer said.
“You sort of have to think he’s going a bit better. In a little bit bigger field, we’ll hopefully get a bit of tempo in the race.
“He’s run fourth in a Sydney Cup too and he’s won two two-mile races – he’s run third in a Sandown Cup and been unlucky as well – so it might be his time.”
Should it not be Sweet Thomas’ day, Smith can rest his hopes on Pappalino, who will also be an acceptor in the $400,000 race.
The French import will be on a quick seven-day backup following a midfield effort in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill on June 4.
“He ran here (Sydney) on Saturday and just got really badly hampered out of the gates, so he was back in the field a long way in a slowly run race,” Smith said.
“He didn’t get an opportunity on Saturday, but he’s certainly been effective at 3000m overseas, so we know he’ll run the trip.
“He’s fit and well and he’ll definitely take his place.”
More horse racing news
