Inverell previews: Trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith is glad to be racing after a catastrophic week of rain fall
FIVE-TIME Group 1 winning trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith has welcomed Racing NSW's $650,000 Emergency Support Package to aid flood-hit communities in the State's north announced this week.
Mayfield-Smith, who is stationed at Coffs Harbour, will be at Inverell to participate in a ten-race card featuring close to 150 horses, each of them with their own trainers and owners eager to finally get down to business.
The meeting was supposed to be a home meeting for Mayfield-Smith but with Coffs Harbour waterlogged, the Inverell Turf Club, was last week announced as the host venue.
'We had to get a meeting, we've just been starved of race meetings and being able to earn your percentage in prizemoney. It is a big difference between racing and not racing,' Mayfield-Smith said.
Agirlsbestfriend FLEW home from the back of the field for an impressive win! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/7bBoHHw13b
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 29, 2022
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
And then on Thursday, Mayfield-Smith learned of the package of support emanating from Racing's chief body and CEO Peter V'landys in response to the severe flooding that has devastated the Mid North Coast and Northern Rivers regions.
'It's a damn good thing for racing that they have done this because at least the people affected see that the people in charge are supportive and do care for the fact that they haven't been able to put meetings on,' Mayfield-Smith said.
This will be just the second time Mayfield-Smith's has ventured to Inverell which he makes with stablemates Ausbred Yahoo and Cardsharp in tow.
Helmet mare Ausbred Yahoo has only managed to win once in her 24 starts but has racked up seven minors.
The most recent of those was a fast finishing third at Casino on May 3 in a 1400m affair.
Her mission this week is the Stewarts Grain Trading Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 1600m.
'She's been a bit difficult to train in that she is not a big horse and she goes a bit strong but she has always shown a lot of ability and she's got a really solid turn of foot,' Mayfield-Smith said.
Cardsharp storms home to win Race 5 at Grafton! pic.twitter.com/LMt74JNZ9D
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 21, 2024
Whereas Ausbred Yahoo will jump from barrier 1, her stablemate, and blue blood, Cardsharp has been dealt 15 in the Campbell's Fuel Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1400m.
The son of Caravaggio has seemingly been underwhelming since his last win at Coffs Harbour in late 2024, but with excuses according to the man who sees him every day.
'He goes good but he's just had no luck,' Mayfield-Smith said.
'He's been tardy out of the gates throughout his career and probably three of his runs this time, there's been excuses for him so it has just been an average campaign but the horse is going well.'
Mayfield-Smith revealed some sad news with his beloved galloper Famous Seamus passing away last month after a misstep while frolicking in retirement.
He was aged 16.
Better news in relation to his former companion, In Top Swing, who Mayfield-Smith reports is thriving ahead of turning 25 on August 1.
â– â– â– â– â–
Local boy Todd Payne was happy to sponsor the first race at Inverell but will be a lot happier to win the last with track specialist Takemine.
Payne will be on course for the 11am start the marathon 10-race card to present a sash and a handshake to whoever wins the Payne Racing Lisztomania Benchmark 66 Handicap (1800m).
Fast forward to 4.25pm and Payne will saddle-up blue blood mare Takemine in the Shane Edmonds Finishing Card Benchmark 58 Handicap (1050m).
While the daughter of Group 3 MVRC Tesio Stakes and Wyong Mona Lisa Stakes winner Lubiton has only converted two of her ten placings into wins, she has a particular affinity with the Inverell circuit.
'She loves being at home. Two goes for two wins here,' Payne said.
'She did everything right the other day at Tamworth, she just found a bit of bad luck up the running.
Takemine takes out the second from Inverell and gives trainer Todd Payne back-to-back wins! pic.twitter.com/bsegGNBb73
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 29, 2024
'If she got the runs at the right times, she probably puts them away, but that's just her. She is a get back horse and she'll be finding the line late.
'The Inverell track suits her, every horse gets their opportunity here.'
It is only fitting that Payne sends Kalahari Heart around on the same card that recognises her more famous sibling, Lisztomania.
A daughter of the four-time Group 1 winner Show A Heart, Kalahari Heart ticks over to start 40 in search of win number seven and a third at Inverell should it happen.
'She's getting on a bit now, she's a seven-year-old mare but her work at home has been great,' Payne said.
'She's just got to take it the races now.
'She's just raced a bit flat at the last couple but we backed off her work and she's jumping out of her skin.'
Payne, meanwhile, will have more than passing interest in the fate of Lot 58 at the upcoming Magic Millions National Weanling Sale on the Gold Coast.
The Tamac Stud Farm (Walcha) born and raised North Pacific colt is the seventh foal of broodmare gem Kalahari Princess.
Payne has a perfect record with the mare's three offspring he has trained, namely the Country Championships Final runner-up Lisztomania, Kalahari and Desert Cougar who shed his maiden status at Tamworth on Tuesday.
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