THE “heat” will be on Ben Smith in more ways than one in Melbourne this weekend!
Notwithstanding the forecast for very high temperatures on Saturday, the Kembla Grange trainer is in for a busy time with six runners – two at The Valley on Friday night and four at Flemington on Saturday before ending his southern sojourn.
Smith has a long night ahead at The Valley with his runners Mah Ali (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1600m) and Wolves (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1200m) in the first and last of nine races respectively.
Then he saddles West Of Dalby (3YO Plate, 1000m), La Bella Bondi (Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes, 1400m), Vieste (Group 2 Kewney Stakes, 1600m), and Arale (Group 3 Matron Stakes, 1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Fred Kersley will ride all six stablemates, and Smith has opted for gear changes on West Of Dalby and Vieste.
The cross-over nose band goes on West Of Dalby and the tongue tie comes off, whilst Vieste will race in blinkers.
“I had West Of Dalby scoped after she didn’t run up to expectations last week in the Inglis Sprint at Flemington,” Smith said.
“She is fine, and also went poorly first-up at The Valley last October when I took her to Melbourne before bouncing back and running well at Flemington.
“West Of Dalby was beaten only four and a half lengths at her previous start in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, and was breathing a lot better when she worked in the cross-over nose band this week.
“A form reversal is definitely on the cards on Saturday.
“With blinkers on, I want to put Vieste into the race as against the Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington last Saturday when she got way out of her ground.
“Both West Of Dalby and Vieste have been nominated for major races in Sydney during the autumn, so their performances on Saturday will give us a better guide as to where we are heading with them.
“If they don’t race well, we can give them a freshen and look to Brisbane.”
Smith certainly has Brisbane in mind for the lightly-raced La Bella Bondi, a two-year-old daughter of Pierata.
La Bella Bondi debuted when fourth to Bold Bastille in a Listed set weights plus penalties event over 1000m at Flemington last Saturday.
“She has come on from that run, and the 1400m is much more suitable,” Smith said.
“I’ll give her a let-up after Saturday, and take her to Brisbane for the winter carnival.”
Smith was pleased with Arale’s performance, although unplaced, in Atishu’s Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“She was out of her class, but gave a bold sight making the running and was less than six lengths from the winner at the finish,” he said.
“Arale is back against her own sex, and has the inside barrier.
“She won at Canterbury over 1550m with 59.5kg at her previous run, and drops 4.5kg.”
Story John Curtis, March 6, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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