Latest news with #GoldenStraand
The Age
29-07-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Smith reckons promising colt can kick off Golden streak at Warwick Farm
Trainer Matthew Smith is confident the best is ahead of lightly raced colt Golden Straand – and he'd like to think the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm today is a nice stepping stone. The rising four-year-old wasted little time in getting on the board with an easy win at his second start at Gosford, and Smith said he gave a glimpse of his potential when he jumped straight into Saturday grade. That was when he split Diddle Dumpling and Codetta in a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill earlier this month. 'I think he took the next step, that's for sure,' Smith said. 'He did things a lot better than in the start before. He's getting there, he's just got to learn his race craft and he'll be fine. 'The depth of racing in Sydney is so competitive, especially in those 72s and 78s, and a horse needs to have above-average ability to jump quickly in those grades. 'They've got to be smart in the way they race, they can't be overdoing it. They've got to be travelling and know how to quicken up. He's got the ability, the penny hasn't quite dropped yet, but I think he'll get there.' Golden Straand stays at 1300m for his fourth race start and Smith is comfortable with his decision to save him from Randwick last weekend. Jay Ford retains the ride on the colt and, from a barrier five, Smith said the right platform is there for him to win and then step up in distance. 'He should get the right run from there, it's the perfect barrier for him,' he said. 'I'm keen to see him at a mile, I think he'll be a really nice horse over seven furlongs to a mile.
Sydney Morning Herald
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Smith reckons promising colt can kick off Golden streak at Warwick Farm
Trainer Matthew Smith is confident the best is ahead of lightly raced colt Golden Straand – and he'd like to think the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm today is a nice stepping stone. The rising four-year-old wasted little time in getting on the board with an easy win at his second start at Gosford, and Smith said he gave a glimpse of his potential when he jumped straight into Saturday grade. That was when he split Diddle Dumpling and Codetta in a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill earlier this month. 'I think he took the next step, that's for sure,' Smith said. 'He did things a lot better than in the start before. He's getting there, he's just got to learn his race craft and he'll be fine. 'The depth of racing in Sydney is so competitive, especially in those 72s and 78s, and a horse needs to have above-average ability to jump quickly in those grades. 'They've got to be smart in the way they race, they can't be overdoing it. They've got to be travelling and know how to quicken up. He's got the ability, the penny hasn't quite dropped yet, but I think he'll get there.' Golden Straand stays at 1300m for his fourth race start and Smith is comfortable with his decision to save him from Randwick last weekend. Jay Ford retains the ride on the colt and, from a barrier five, Smith said the right platform is there for him to win and then step up in distance. 'He should get the right run from there, it's the perfect barrier for him,' he said. 'I'm keen to see him at a mile, I think he'll be a really nice horse over seven furlongs to a mile.
