Scone preview: Trainer Matthew Smith to hold court in nation’s horse capital

Multiple Group 1 winning trainer Matthew Smith has a very strong hand to play when racing comes to the nation’s thoroughbred capital on Tuesday

Matthew Smith has a strong hand to play at Scone on Tuesday. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

A double digit draw won’t be enough to keep Warwick Farm-housed gelding Dubai Warrior from making his anticipated debut in the nation’s thoroughbred capital on Tuesday.

The Scone-bound three-year-old was dealt barrier 17 in the 20-horse Kia Ora Maiden (1200m) but all is not quite so grim as it seems.

“I think there’s about half a dozen that will come out of that race,’’ trainer Matthew Smith said.

“You need a bit of luck from bad barriers but we’ll see. I think he is a pretty nice horse.

“He is a lovely big, scopy horse, and has definitely got ability.

“The big track will suit him,’’ Smith says. “He shouldn’t be too far away really.’’

Dubai Warrior has been stronger at the end of his trials than at the beginning, something in-keeping with his make-up.

Smith’s gelding is a son of Pride Of Dubai out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, a similar cross that resulted in William Haggas’ visiting ATC Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Ranvet winner, Dubai Honour.

Smith, meanwhile, has two chances of success in the Yarraman Park Benchmark 58 Handicap (2200m) with stablemates Le Souci ($3.70) and Icon Dream ($11) becoming rivals for the day.

Le Souci’s last visit to Scone on October 25 saw her beaten, but not disgraced, by another of her stable companions in Placid Pearl.

“It’s a good race for Le Souci,’’ Smith said.

“If you could find a race for her over further, she’d be better again, but there’s just nothing for her so this is what we’ve got.

“If she can back up her last run at Scone, she should be hard to beat in that.’’

Le Souci is well-equipped to stay; her dam is a half sister to Harper’s Choice who is best remembered for running second in Jon Snow’s ATC Australian Derby.

Icon Dream likewise has her share of stamina, some of which was passed on from her VRC Derby-winning father Prized Icon.

“She hasn’t really found her rhythm yet but when she does, she’ll be alright,’’ says Smith.

“She is working well at home so again, she just needs to get up over the right trip and I think she will start putting it together fairly shortly.”

Smith has found an ideal race at the perfect venue on Tuesday for De Luca to add her name to the soaring tally of Gerry Harvey owned/bred recent winners.

The Baramul-born chestnut made her debut at Scone back in April when finishing an honourable third in the 900m scamper.

Her most recent two runs were both at Echuca in Victoria, one of those her Maiden win last month, the other a close and closing second.

“ She’s had a couple downs run down there and there and they were good,’’ Smith said.

“She is going well and it looks an okay race for her, definitely. She is pretty genuine and puts herself there.’’

De Luca still has much to offer on the racetrack but is destined to one day join Harvey’s elite broodmare band given her epic family ties.

Her third dam is the Champion 2YO Filly of Australia in 2004/5, Fashions Afield, her fifth dam is Wrap Around, herself a daughter of Beach Gown.

Smith has one more blue blood to play before Scone winds-up today.

Enter the Blake Spriggs mount Tonkatsu Goddess who will have her share of admirers in the Vinery Maiden Plate (1400m).

“If she runs up to her two placings at Kembla, she has got to be hard to beat in that, that’s all she’s got to do, ‘’ Smith said of the Snitzel mare.

Originally published as Scone preview: Trainer Matthew Smith to hold court in nation’s horse capital