Todd Smart has had a phenomenal run of results stretching back to June last year, with 11 winners from his past 50 starters, including five from his past nine.
The Canberra-based conditioner has travelled far and wide for his stable’s recent wins, scoring victories at Albury, Canberra, Nowra, Cowra, and Parkes.
Finishing off 2024 strongly, Smart trained The Unique Star (James Innes Jnr, $1.40) to victory in the $30,000 Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1000m) at Albury on November 21.
Three days later, So Magnificent (Billy Owen, $7) continued Smart’s good run, winning the $22,000 Maiden Plate (1400m) at Canberra.
At Nowra on December 15, Smart and connections collected an early Christmas present as the well-named Smarter Than You (Claire Ramsbotham, $3.60) cruised to an impressive two-length victory in the $35,000 Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m).
Opening his 2025 account, Smart then trained back-to-back winners in the Central Districts.
Racing at Cowra on January 19 for their big Cowra Cup meeting, O’hellyeah (James Innes Jnr, $4.20) finished strongly when registering a gutsy victory in the $30,000 Country Boosted Maiden Handicap (1200m).
Most recently, the ever-consistent Loose Love (Claire Ramsbotham, $4.20) returned from a spell, winning the $27,000 Benchmark 82 Handicap (1400m) at Parkes.
On Sunday, Smart travels to the Sapphire Coast, with O’hellyeah looking for back-to-back wins.
Currently the $4.60 favourite in the $50,0000 Country Magic Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m), James Innes Jnr retains the ride, and connections draw fabvourably with gate four.
A $110,000 purchase by Intel Bloodstock at the 2022 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, there is a lot of excitement around this Hellbent filly out of Ambar.
Racing at Cowra, O’hellyeah finished strongly to defeat the red-hot commodity Hellinda (favourite in race one), and punters believe the Canberra filly can do it again at the Sapphire Coast.
Sunday is the Sapphire Coast Turf Club’s second day of their two-day Bega Cup carnival, with the program headlined by the $80,000 Bega Cup and $50,000 Bega Showcase Sprint.
Jeff Hanson’s Sapphire Coast tips 02/02/25
Race 1: Hellinda $2.25
Race 2: Divine Ella $1.60
Race 3: Blesstas $5
Race 4: Bengal $3
Race 5: Ticklebelly $2.15
Race 6: Winnie Fortune $4.40
Race 7: Associate $7.50
Race 8: O’hellyeah $4.60
