Trainer Brian Smith hopes to weave his magic with Bazzabeel at Eagle Farm on Saturday

TRAINER Brian Smith has reached into his bag of tricks in an attempt to conspire an unlikely first-up win for injury-plagued gelding Bazzabeel at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

WILY trainer Brian Smith has reached into his bag of tricks in an attempt to conspire an unlikely first-up win for injury-plagued gelding Bazzabeel at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Smith is pondering a potentially lucrative day at headquarters, where he has My Diamantine in the Queensland Cup, dominant last-start winner Monster Of Energy (Race 5) and In The Kitty as a rival for Bazzabeel in the Class 3 1800m Plate.

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Smith, who turns 75 next month, enjoys the challenge of training horses just as much now as he did when he started training 43 years ago.

“I love it. That’s why you do it,” he said. “I’m well and I am enjoying Queensland and Australia and I have a good life.

“It’s a good set-up and it suits me. We’ve been pretty consistent with about 24 horses and I’m excited this year to have a couple of yearlings coming through, which puts a bit of an extra spring in your step.”

Smith is renowned for finding ways to rejuvenate horses, with $17-$10 plonk winner Feltre the most recent example last month.

Bazzabeel presents one of his toughest challenges, as he resumes off a 626-day break after showing staying promise in six starts for Peter Moody.

“He did a tendon with Moody and that’s why he’s been away so long,” Smith said. “I’ve had him ready to go about three times, but something has gone wrong each time. He’s a very hard going horse on the track.

“He was in those (unofficial) trials to open Eagle Farm and he just bolted that day, so that set us back again. This boy (Andrew Spinks) rides him good though and he seems to settle for him.

“If he can cross them and get into a nice rhythm, I expect him to race well.”

Stablemate In The Kitty has been frustrating in that she’s run seven placings to go with her lone win, but the extra distance is in her favour on Saturday, according to Smith.

My Diamantine, who was sent over from New Zealand by John Wheeler, had Smith smiling after her work on Thursday and he is tipping a form reversal — provided Robbie Fradd can get her to settle.

“She overraced at Caloundra so it will be Robbie’s job to put her to sleep and if he can get her tucked away and give her a quiet first mile, she’s a genuine chance,” he said. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to run, but after the way she worked I am pleased we accepted and I like her.”

Smith said Monster Of Energy has taken further improvement after winning by nearly four lengths at this track last Wednesday. “Both trainer and jockey (Tegan Harrison) were very happy after his latest work,” Smith said.

Originally published as Trainer Brian Smith hopes to weave his magic with Bazzabeel at Eagle Farm on Saturday