Wyong preview: Trainer Matthew Smith has the firepower and is quietly confident of success
Kicking off the day is Dubai Warrior and Super Sugoi in the Central Coast Coolrooms Class 1 Handicap (1600m).
Smith gave Dubai Warrior a freshen up after finishing third behind Newyork Missile at Wagga on May 1 and the gelding had a nice trial at Randwick at the end of May when a nose second to Unspoken.
'I was a bit disappointed at Wagga but we leaned a bit about him,' said Smith.
'He's doesn't have the ability to stop and start. He's a big striding horse and if he gets held up, he's not quick off the mark; he needs to be in clear running.
There's another boilover at Wagga! ðŸ'°
Newyork Missile wins at $101 on @tabcomau fixed odds! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/U9FiYXBZus
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 1, 2025
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!
'This looks a nice race for him to do something.
'He's going pretty well actually and this looks a nice race for him. He might be able to control it from the front.
'From a good draw, he should land up there comfortably on the bit.'
Super Sugoi has had two runs back from a spell over unsuitably short distances when fourth over 1250m at Newcastle and an eighth over 1350m here in a run that was better than it looks on paper.
The four-year-old will appreciate stepping up to the mile.
'He has needed those couple of shorter runs. The 1600 metres is definitely the key for him.
'It was a good run the other day. He was back and wide but his sectionals were quite good,' Smith said.
'He is ready for the mile now and you will see him attack this line.'
In the last race of the day, the Wyong Leagues Club Group Cup Day – 5 September Handicap (1200m), Smith saddles up Cool Lad and his half-sister Flying Rani.
Cool Lad is closing in on a win after placing in three of his four runs this preparation with seconds at his last two at Newcastle and Gosford.
'He is knocking on the door but he is hard to catch to be fair because he is his own worst enemy,' said Smith.
'He goes hard and does things wrong but he has got the ability to knock off a race like this.
Cool Lad lifts over the concluding stages to take out the last at @goulburnraces for @mcsmithracing! ðŸ'° pic.twitter.com/LCYqzwfJCo
â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 16, 2023
'I've put Olivia (Dalton) on with her three kilo claim. She rides a bit of trackwork for us so we'll see how they go.'
Flying Rani is at her peak now after two runs back from a spell and a mid-preparation trial at Canterbury in which she lead all-the-way to score by over four lengths.
'She was very good in her trial the other day,' Smith said.
'She doesn't like it really wet but she will be okay on a soft track.
'If she was able to get across and control it in front. She might be able to get away with it.'
Smith has two other runners for the day in The Way Ahead in the Maiden Handicap (1000m) and Noble One in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1350m).
In her first campaign, The Way Ahead has placed in three of her five starts with her latest a second to Celerity at Hawkesbury on June 17.
'She has been a horse who has been doing things upside down in her early races. She is starting to put it altogether now,' he said.
'She has slowly been improving and her last start was much better. Hopefully she can keep going in the right direction.
'Noble One wants better ground but he is going to have to start because he missed a run the other day.
'He will also get better as he gets up over a mile but his work has been good.'
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